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Hearing damage from a popped air packet?
Ryanxious posted:
I'm obsessive about protecting my hearing; I even wear earplugs for a lot of the day. Does that reduce the ability of the ossicles to defend the ear from sudden loud noises?
In the very early hours of July 6th, I got out of bed, took out my earplugs for some reason, and accidentally stepped (rather hard) on one of those large air-bubble packing pieces (they're a bit bigger than a can of soda). Of course it burst loudly. My ears instantly rang. It couldn't have been that loud, I thought, and I looked up how loud a balloon pop was: Many charts reported 157 dB(!). Further searching revealed a more reasonable range of 120 - 140 dB, though still above the potential for instant damage level of 120 dB. Having a decibel meter myself, I put in earplugs and donned earmuffs and brought my foot down on another air packet. It read 113 dB, though my meter only samples every 200ms, whereas the burst is likely only about 50ms (comparable to a balloon pop), meaning that it could have been well over 113 dB.
Four days later and the ringing, though reduced, remains. The notion that I could have ruined my hearing in a fraction of a second, especially after all the precautions I've put into protecting it, is unbearable. Any words of encouragement or suggestions on how to proceed?
In the very early hours of July 6th, I got out of bed, took out my earplugs for some reason, and accidentally stepped (rather hard) on one of those large air-bubble packing pieces (they're a bit bigger than a can of soda). Of course it burst loudly. My ears instantly rang. It couldn't have been that loud, I thought, and I looked up how loud a balloon pop was: Many charts reported 157 dB(!). Further searching revealed a more reasonable range of 120 - 140 dB, though still above the potential for instant damage level of 120 dB. Having a decibel meter myself, I put in earplugs and donned earmuffs and brought my foot down on another air packet. It read 113 dB, though my meter only samples every 200ms, whereas the burst is likely only about 50ms (comparable to a balloon pop), meaning that it could have been well over 113 dB.
Four days later and the ringing, though reduced, remains. The notion that I could have ruined my hearing in a fraction of a second, especially after all the precautions I've put into protecting it, is unbearable. Any words of encouragement or suggestions on how to proceed?
5 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Hearing damage from a popped air packet?I'm obsessive about protecting my hearing; I even wear earplugs for a lot of the day. Does that reduce the ability of the ossicles to defend the ear from sudden loud noises?<br /><br />In the very early hours of July 6th, I got out of bed, took out my earplugs for some reason, and accidentally stepped (rather hard) on one of those large air-bubble packing pieces (they're a bit bigger than a can of soda). Of course it burst loudly. My ears instantly rang. It couldn't have been that loud, I thought, and I looked up how loud a balloon pop was: Many charts reported 157 dB(!). Further searching revealed a more reasonable range of 120 - 140 dB, though still above the potential for instant damage level of 120 dB. Having a decibel meter myself, I put in earplugs and donned earmuffs and brought my foot down on another air packet. It read 113 dB, though my meter only samples every 200ms, whereas the burst is likely only about 50ms (comparable to a balloon pop), meaning that it could have been well over 113 dB.<br /><br />Four days later and the ringing, though reduced, remains. The notion that I could have ruined my hearing in a fraction of a second, especially after all the precautions I've put into protecting it, is unbearable. Any words of encouragement or suggestions on how to proceed?
Rod Moser, PA, PhD responded:
It would not be likely that you have developed permanent hearing damage from this incident. While sensitive ears can take days or a few weeks to heal, statistically you will be just fine....in TIME. It is not possible to determine how long this might take, however.
Hang in there for a while longer.
Hang in there for a while longer.
Report This| Share this:Hearing damage from a popped air packet?It would not be likely that you have developed permanent hearing damage from this incident. While sensitive ears can take days or a few weeks to heal, statistically you will be just fine....in TIME. It is not possible to determine how long this might take, however.<br /><br />Hang in there for a while longer.
Ryanxious replied to Rod Moser, PA, PhD's response:
Thank you for your reply. I suppose it does seem unlikely; I guess I was caught up in the high dB measure I recorded (not to mention the listed dBs of balloon pops).
I forgot to ask: is there anything I should avoid for a period of time? I was thinking about a trip in about two weeks and was wondering if airplane travel would be OK. Also, though I'm on break for at least two more weeks, I perform in night clubs. I don't tend to stick around when I'm not performing, and I do wear musician's plugs (25 dB attenuation), but I'm still in that sort of noisy environment for at least an hour a night, not including the subway commute. Should I back off that noise for a bit since my ears are recovering, or in your estimation would it be fine?
Thanks again for your reply.
I forgot to ask: is there anything I should avoid for a period of time? I was thinking about a trip in about two weeks and was wondering if airplane travel would be OK. Also, though I'm on break for at least two more weeks, I perform in night clubs. I don't tend to stick around when I'm not performing, and I do wear musician's plugs (25 dB attenuation), but I'm still in that sort of noisy environment for at least an hour a night, not including the subway commute. Should I back off that noise for a bit since my ears are recovering, or in your estimation would it be fine?
Thanks again for your reply.
Report This| Share this:Hearing damage from a popped air packet?Thank you for your reply. I suppose it does seem unlikely; I guess I was caught up in the high dB measure I recorded (not to mention the listed dBs of balloon pops).<br /><br />I forgot to ask: is there anything I should avoid for a period of time? I was thinking about a trip in about two weeks and was wondering if airplane travel would be OK. Also, though I'm on break for at least two more weeks, I perform in night clubs. I don't tend to stick around when I'm not performing, and I do wear musician's plugs (25 dB attenuation), but I'm still in that sort of noisy environment for at least an hour a night, not including the subway commute. Should I back off that noise for a bit since my ears are recovering, or in your estimation would it be fine?<br /><br />Thanks again for your reply.
Backing off on noise would be good. I am pleased that you are so aware of acoustic damage and have the proper protection.
Although I can't examine your ears, I see no reason why you cannot fly.
I avoid making blind predictions about recovery times, mostly because it is next to impossible. I am surprised that you are having the problems you have now, so I suspect your recovery will be fast. I can't put a day on it, however.
Although I can't examine your ears, I see no reason why you cannot fly.
I avoid making blind predictions about recovery times, mostly because it is next to impossible. I am surprised that you are having the problems you have now, so I suspect your recovery will be fast. I can't put a day on it, however.
Report This| Share this:Hearing damage from a popped air packet?Backing off on noise would be good. I am pleased that you are so aware of acoustic damage and have the proper protection.<br /> <br />Although I can't examine your ears, I see no reason why you cannot fly.<br /> <br />I avoid making blind predictions about recovery times, mostly because it is next to impossible. I am surprised that you are having the problems you have now, so I suspect your recovery will be fast. I can't put a day on it, however.
jasonmarcus34 replied to Rod Moser, PA, PhD's response:
Yesterday, while in a metal storage area, a rather large balloon popped in my face. Immediately, my hearing was messed up. Everything I hear sounds like it is underwater and when I speak, it sounds like my voice is coming from somewhere else. I am on day 2 of this. Any idea what is wrong? What can be done to fix it? Did I damage my ears forever? Is it TINNITUS? I'm really scared because I rely on my hearing to work.
Report This| Share this:Hearing damage from a popped air packet?Yesterday, while in a metal storage area, a rather large balloon popped in my face. Immediately, my hearing was messed up. Everything I hear sounds like it is underwater and when I speak, it sounds like my voice is coming from somewhere else. I am on day 2 of this. Any idea what is wrong? What can be done to fix it? Did I damage my ears forever? Is it TINNITUS? I'm really scared because I rely on my hearing to work.
I am sorry, Jason, but a medical provider would need to physical examine your ears and take a few diagnostic tests to really answer your questions. There is really no way to blindly circumvent this process.
Acoustic damage, if minor, tends to self-resolve over time, but unfortunately, it would not be possible to even guess long long a person might experience post-trauma symptoms.
It has only been two days, so there is still a very good chance you will recover. You will need to see an ENT if you are not progressively improving.
Acoustic damage, if minor, tends to self-resolve over time, but unfortunately, it would not be possible to even guess long long a person might experience post-trauma symptoms.
It has only been two days, so there is still a very good chance you will recover. You will need to see an ENT if you are not progressively improving.
Report This| Share this:Hearing damage from a popped air packet?I am sorry, Jason, but a medical provider would need to physical examine your ears and take a few diagnostic tests to really answer your questions. There is really no way to blindly circumvent this process.<br /> <br />Acoustic damage, if minor, tends to self-resolve over time, but unfortunately, it would not be possible to even guess long long a person might experience post-trauma symptoms.<br /> <br />It has only been two days, so there is still a very good chance you will recover. You will need to see an ENT if you are not progressively improving.
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