they use custom 500$+ ones, dont bother, theyre easy to lose and not needed for casual listening
instead i got eardials, 35$ on amazon, designed to be invisible -- clear silicon that fits perfect in ear and isnt noticeable. also the guy who makes it offers amazing customer service
only downside is theyre rather uncomfortable after a while, and irritate the ears a bit (might just be me) also dont push them in too far
https://www.amazon.com/EarDial-Ear-Plugs-Comfortable-High-Fidelity/dp/B00P2NTVPA
Yeah it can be debilitating. I got mine from a bomb blast, but its all the same from decibel damage.
It can also cost you professionally and personally. Worse yet, it appears there’s little chances for a cure if it’s from physical damage.
For me, what helped:
My Dr prescribed custom earplugs that target specific frequencies. I even use them in the studio. Always in a club or show! Used them last night at some thumpy loud Reggae show. No side effects this a.m. I still heard everything, just quieter.
In the end, with the decibel specific earplugs I saw a reduction in symptoms in about 6 months and a slight return of hearing. Good plugs today are just incredible.
Adequate generics are as cheap as $20 USD on Amazon.
Good luck and please take this seriously. Some simple modifications will keep you in the music game without suffering a permanent disability.
Note: There are too many available options in sizing and target frequencies to recommend any specific plugs. Go shop around? Try some out and experiment?
A product example:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P2NTVPA/ref=sspa_mw_detail_6?psc=1
Squishies will be fine, but if you have the time to wait for shipping I have these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P2NTVPA?maas=maas_adg_E5C7FECEE6649F6725C62973FF99EAA5_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas
They sound a lot less like you're underwater and still offer good protection. I didn't use earplugs at all when I saw Sunn O))) a few years ago and felt fine, but it's probably better to bring something just in case.
I wear these ones
They're great, they're transparent, have a very low profile so can't be seen unless someone looks right in your ear, and they have a little case you can put on your keyring when you're not using them so if you go out impromptu you'll still have them.
I really like these:
I have been using these since 2018 and it was one of the best decisions of my life. The little case lives on my keys and have saved me in so many unexpectedly loud environments.
Eargasm is a good brand with a little holder too.
What is the sound like? I saw Vibes and the only reason that is preventing me from buying them is that they stick from the ear a bit too much. Have you seen these: https://www.amazon.com/EarDial-HiFi-Earplugs-Motorcycles-Comfortable/dp/B00P2NTVPA They are practically invisible, but I am not sure imwhatvthe sound is like.
"EarDial HiFi Earplugs are perfect for music lovers, party goers, motorcyclists, musicians (..) and anyone that wants to hear clearly and safely in a loud event, like concerts, music festivals, studios, nightclubs (..). Also for DIY or work where you need to block noise but hear the environment"
I don't know about you but I would need the exact opposite.
Dolby movies are really loud. Even though I can handle it even I think it's too loud. My wife can't handle it. It hurts her ears. I got her these ear plugs for Dolby showings and that has helped her. Maybe give something like that a try.
I have a pair of EarDial earplugs (see here). They work pretty well. They're comfortable. They're subtle enough that most people won't notice you're wearing them. Plus, the carrying case is tiny and unobtrusive on a keychain, so I can just carry them with me wherever I go without having to remember to bring them.
Well fortunately for me I have these. :D https://www.amazon.com/EarDial-Ear-Plugs-Comfortable-High-Fidelity/dp/B00P2NTVPA/
Honestly I have a year worth of school to go, and after that I'll be moving to San Diego with my girlfriend. I don't have too much parrot experience, so I plan on seeing if I can volunteer at rescues and get it there. The three parrots I'm thinking of are eclectus, african gray, and blue fronted amazon. I don't want a parrot that's TOO loud, hence why eclectus is on my list; they're not supposed to scream as much as other parrots.
I like the personality of the african gray, but I'd also like to travel with my bird and I do know they tend to get anxiety. Also not sure how much dandruff I can handle. Though grays are much more common than the others.
Eclectus seem like they might be more eager to learn and not be as anxious. I know they have strict diets but I figure I could handle that in southern california since produce is cheaper and it's good year round. I'm worried about the long breeding season and their tendency to not show their stress.
Blue-fronted Amazon is what I always get on myrightbird.com, and I do have experience with yellow naped amazons since my grandmother kept one for years, so there's a strong nostalgia factor for them.
Ultimately though, I know with parrots it's kind of a "you don't choose bird, bird chooses you" situation so... yeah. I also hear it's better to get a baby bird for my first time, but I am thinking of instead seeing if I can adopt one that is over 20 and thus past it's teenage hormonal years and has taken the time to chill out a bit in that aspect.
I bought some clear concert ear plugs and they helped immensely for mealtimes with family. You can’t see them at all so you don’t risk coming off as rude. They do mute most annoying mouth/chewing sounds but you can still hear people talk. I have them on my keychain at all times in case of emergency. They’ve worked for movie theaters as well (since most new movies I’ve seen have awful triggering sounds).
It’s too loud for my wife and bothers her ears. We got her a pair of these and they have really helped.
I saw that article about the owner. You have the right idea, just massively reduce you sound exposure. You can also develop Hyperacusis or TTTS which are wheelchair level hearing disabilities. I have all 3 and tinnitus from basically the same life as you + DJing. I can't ever go to a concert or football game or shooting range again. I couldn't even leave my house for 7 months. I have 20+ tinnitus sounds.. I wear earplugs 24/7, and earmuffs overtop when doing dishes or going in the car. My custom plugs are NRR30 and thats barely enough to let me go to friends houses or the beach. Only though a calendar year of maximum possible quiet have I started to heal. The depths of ear injuries can quickly go to suicide level.
You'll encounter people who stress not to "overprotect" your ears. First of all its a complete fallacy not based in science at all, and second of all, at your mild level of tinnitus it would be really hard to even do that. I spend most of the day with plugs/muffs on and live a silent life and I heal from my H/TTTS/T. Think, theres no epidemic of tinnitus among librarians.
Anyways, it will be hard to discipline yourself, but just commit to a massive reduction in volume. Try out different plugs and see which you like. I'll leave a link to some I found the best compromise between comfortable/effective/ not make you deaf. I use way more protection than this, but for your level just wearing these when you cook/vaccuum/ do dishes or really anything with banging/clanking/loud noises will really help.
And just telling you now, your physician can't help you, nor can an audiologist. Ive spent hours everyday for over 16 months on tinnitus/Hyperacusis threads and not 1 single persons has been caused by earwax, in fact, the removal can be loud and has given a few people T. Not 1 single person has found a cause through an MRI. Not 1 single person has had any help form a doctor. Audiology is in the Stone Age, don't even bother wasting you insurance coverage.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00P2NTVPA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I've bought quite a few different pairs of "quick and easy" earplugs. These ones fit the best, reduce a ton of noise, and are very comfortable and not too visible. By far the best pair ive owned.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00P2NTVPA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
These are the ones I'm going to get I think (don't have them yet so can't comment on how good they are). Sorry it's a UK link but I imagine regular Amazon will have the brand too?
I've had good experiences with these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00P2NTVPA
But only I'm short bursts
Try these musicians earplugs for a less noticeable earplug solution. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P2NTVPA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
As far as sunglasses go just get the lightest tint possible... they make specialized computer glasses for light sensitivity but if you are dealing with bright outdoor lighting I'm not sure they would help with that.
There's some doctors I've seen who advise not overdoing earplug and sun glass use as it might inhibit the recovery process but I'm not sure if they even knew what they were talking about.
I can recommend musician's earplugs I ordered on Amazon awhile back. They reduce the volume but still let you hear sound clearly.
These 'eardial invisible earplugs' are rated to reduce sound by 11db. The foam earplugs block a lot more sound than any musicians earplugs but musician earplugs still do a great job and are more functional. This model is on the smaller side and fit my ears better than any other earplug I've tried. Just a warning thought they aren't actually invisible just somewhat hard to see imo.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P2NTVPA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Another one I've tried are these 'eargasm high fidelity earplugs'. It's rated to reduce sound by 15db. Both of the earplugs I linked to come with a keychain holder that comes in useful when out and about. If I had to choose between the two I'd go with the first because it fits better but they really both deaden noise to a more tolerable level when my ears are sensitive.
'Invisible' ear plugs. They can be worn in situations where earbuds are not appropriate and go unnoticed by most people. For anyone who MIGHT notice, just tell them you have a medical condition which requires them, that's it.
I've found great success with low profile versions such as these: https://www.amazon.com/EarDial-Ear-Plugs-Comfortable-High-Fidelity/dp/B00P2NTVPA ..or one of many others. There are very effective at 'muting' the world without actually blocking it out completely.
For many, the trade-off of being able to hear less vs being tortured by triggers is an acceptable one.
Outside of work or school, you can wear very inexpensive earbud headphones as they are so ubiquitous. No one gives them a second thought. You don't even have to have anything pumping through them most of the time. Just wearing them is enough of a muffle to make life quite manageable.
If you are looking for an inexpensive and effective way to block everything, try the 'Simply Noise' app and use the Brown Noise setting. It blocks both high (whistling, sniffling, chewing) and low-frequency (bass, thumping, etc) sounds around you.
Good luck to you!