Go Back  Airline Pilot Central Forums > Pilot Lounge > Pilot Health
tinnitus (ringing in ears) >

tinnitus (ringing in ears)

Search

Notices
Pilot Health FAA medical; health topics
View Poll Results: Ringing in ears from ANR headsets?
yes
11
18.33%
no
38
63.33%
maybe
11
18.33%
Voters: 60. You may not vote on this poll

tinnitus (ringing in ears)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-23-2009 | 03:56 AM
  #1  
Thread Starter
On Reserve
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: 757/767ER Capt
Default tinnitus (ringing in ears)

Anybody else have tinnitus? I only have it in my left ear and may have got it from my active noise reduction headset (which I wear on my left ear). Let me know if this might be a trend. Thanks.
Reply
Old 11-23-2009 | 06:36 AM
  #2  
B757christopher's Avatar
On Reserve
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Default

I've never used an ANR headset, but I wouldn't expect it to produce sound that could be damaging to your ears. I have minor tinnitus but I thought it was only caused by very loud noise either accumulated over time (in my case playing in loud bands without hearing protection) or an acute loud noise such as a gunshot or blast of some sort.
Reply
Old 11-23-2009 | 07:31 AM
  #3  
rickair7777's Avatar
Prime Minister/Moderator
Veteran: Navy
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,906
Likes: 692
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
Default

No way an ANR could produce that, it's caused by exposure to loud noise over time or some kind of medical issue with the ear. ANR's prevent exposure to high sound levels over time.

Are you a lawyer trying to build a class-action suit against Bose?
Reply
Old 11-23-2009 | 09:32 AM
  #4  
mmaviator's Avatar
pants on the ground
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,359
Likes: 0
From: back seat
Default

Originally Posted by pilotartist
Anybody else have tinnitus? I only have it in my left ear and may have got it from my active noise reduction headset (which I wear on my left ear). Let me know if this might be a trend. Thanks.
how can you prove it came from that. i'm guessing you started to have tinnitus after you started to wear the anr headset?

Originally Posted by rickair7777
No way an ANR could produce that, it's caused by exposure to loud noise over time or some kind of medical issue with the ear. ANR's prevent exposure to high sound levels over time.

Are you a lawyer trying to build a class-action suit against Bose?
why do you say that? i might bring a case against Bose because every time i wear the headset i hear voices in my head that keep saying 'turn to heading 180' and 'contact tower'. jk
Reply
Old 11-23-2009 | 03:16 PM
  #5  
vagabond's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 8,025
Likes: 0
From: C-172
Default

If I had tinnitus, I'd go see an otolaryngologist immediately and likely will not take too seriously anything anybody has to say on an internet pilot's board, including myself, even though I had a very successful career in science before becoming a lawyer. The medical research I did was in the auditory system in general and childhood total deafness in particular.

The etiology of tinnitus is not crystal clear, but the most common causes are age related hearing loss and exposure to loud noises. The human's inner hair cells are so delicate that any damage to them can result in tinnitus. One of the medical residents also told me that he once saw someone with tinnitus, but it was because the guy never cleaned his ears and the ear canal was impacted with cerumen. You know, earwax.

Please go see your doctor. Ask to be examined by a board certified otolaryngologist. Sorry I cannot give anyone a ringing (no pun intended) endorsement. Good luck.
Reply
Old 11-23-2009 | 03:45 PM
  #6  
usmc-sgt's Avatar
Moderator
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,077
Likes: 40
Default

I have tinnitus but it is from exposure to very loud noises and a ruptured eardrum.

My ANR headset doesnt bother it..or maybe im too deaf to notice.
Reply
Old 11-23-2009 | 04:45 PM
  #7  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 867
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by pilotartist
Anybody else have tinnitus? I only have it in my left ear and may have got it from my active noise reduction headset (which I wear on my left ear). Let me know if this might be a trend. Thanks.
One of the loudest, sharpest, intense noises I have EVER been exposed to was from an ANR headset. It was a relatively new design in 2002/3 and did not like ground based radar. I had to throw the headset off on short final one night because it was a REAL problem. That was not fun. I had to be sure and tested it other airport with and without radar. It was the radar.

I went back to some good ol' low-tech ones after that.
Reply
Old 11-24-2009 | 11:46 AM
  #8  
Thread Starter
On Reserve
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: 757/767ER Capt
Default ringing

I have been to a doctor who said there is no help other than white noise to mask the ringing. I have been exposed to loud jets, chain saws and guns, but have been diligent (usually) about ear protection. Yes, hearing loss and ringing are common as you get older. The fact that only my left ear is affected and that is the only ear I've used the ANR headset on makes me suspicious. Hence, the post...
Reply
Old 11-25-2009 | 01:29 PM
  #9  
BoredwLife's Avatar
First Rule of Fight Club
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 0
From: My seat smells like cat pee
Default

[quote=rickair7777;715781]No way an ANR could produce that, it's caused by exposure to loud noise over time or some kind of medical issue with the ear. [quote]

And asbestos doesn't cause mesothelomia and lung cancer. Cigarettes couldn't cause cancer in the 1900's.
Lead paint doesn't cause growth defects.

Things that were once considered fine, not so much anynmore.
Reply
Old 11-25-2009 | 06:01 PM
  #10  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
Default

Pilot artist, you should look up acoustic neuroma. It causes unilateral tinnitus along with other symptoms. They are rare and your doctor may not be familiar with them. I know someone with one and it is probably worth it for you to rule it out.

Last edited by slough; 11-25-2009 at 06:31 PM.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
captjns
Regional
22
05-08-2009 05:36 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



Your Privacy Choices