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Until recently, I had no issues with my hearing. Since my late 20s I’ve been careful to wear earplugs to loud concerts, and I never turn up the music so loud that it is even close to uncomfortable.
But I went to a concert five weeks ago that seems to have changed everything. It was a concert of classical Indian music, so I assumed (wrongly) that it wouldn’t be amplified. And when I saw there was amplification, I figured it wouldn’t be an issue, because, well, it’s Indian classical music! How loud can it get? Not that loud, actually, but there was something about the space and the PA system that really hurt my ears. A piercing hurt. Strangely, my wife and son, the former of whom is usually very sensitive to loud music, didn’t have the same reaction I did.
Which is a ringing in both ears. I assumed it would stop after a day or two. It’s been five weeks and no letup. I saw an audiologist today who basically said it would be permanent. I’m in mourning. I can no longer enjoy music, which has to compete with the ringing, and if it’s turned up even slightly above normal listening levels, hurts my ears and causes a kind of extra overtone ring.
I don’t know what to do. I’m seeing an ENT soon, but at this stage I’m both frustrated, mad, and very very sad. How could one concert lead to this, a concert that clearly didn’t both anyone else? Does this mean the time, money, and care I put into my audio system is now for nought?
I’m posting here I guess for some kind of support. I doubt I’m alone. How have you Bottleheaders dealt with hearing loss, damage, tinnitus, etc? Is there any hope?
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