spclark 

More likely simply genetics and general decline with age. I'm guessing you've carried that pesky Y chromosome around since conception?

Too it's commonplace for damage to occur from prolonged high ambient noise simply through bone conduction. What we perceive as sound is the effect of pressure waves on our bodies. What gets translated as sound in our brains comes largely from our ears yet a significant amount of damage can take place in our ear structures even with hearing protection in place because those waves are impacting the bones in our heads. Those pressure waves are insidious, doing damage while we believe we're protecting our hearing all the while.

(Know anyone who's a pistol or rifle shooter? You find that they're more likely to hear what you're telling them when you're on their 'good ear's' side?)

Now THAT'S interesting, I've never encountered someone telling me that.

For decades I've been able to 'hear' my pulse rate underneath the ever-present tinnitus. When ambient noise is fairly high both tend to get masked when I''m not wearing hearing protection. With my hearing aids in my pulse is obvious yet the tinnitus diminishes markedly, lends credence to the theory it's your brain trying to make up for the loss of 'signal' from your ears' 'receivers' that've suffered damage or simply decline from age.

Like snake oil maybe?

I've yet to encounter anyone who's attempted such so-called 'treatments' tell me that they've had any success. Click-bait has many forms you know....

pdlamb

FWIW, pieces of cotton balls in the ears really reduces wind noise for me. I collect more out of pill bottles than I use.

On a side note, I was on a VTC last week and one of the participants was complaining about an intermittent, high pitched whine on the line. After a couple others confirmed it, I put in a plug FOR tinnitus -- I couldn't hear a thing!

Bugspit

It sucks.

VegasJen

I went ahead and ordered the Cat Ears off Amazon last week. Got them today, already on my helmet. I guess I'll find out and report the results after Ironman 70.3 on Sunday.

Back to the subject at hand, in a way, it's nice to know I'm not alone with my symptoms. My hearing is actually pretty good when it comes to one-on-one conversations. But put me in a room with a lot of background conversation or ambient noise, and I can't understand <poop>. And I don't know if this is related or something totally different, but my echolocation is garbage now too. Once again, especially when there is background noise. I can hear noises but have absolutely no idea from which direction they're coming.

spclark 

I put a pair on my list to Santa; too dang cold to ride here but they'll be on my straps come spring!

You're lucky!

Mixed company too? Typically our loss is concentrated in a range of frequencies centered around that of most female humans' speech. There's a colloquial term for it, my audiologist chuckled when I first raised the issue: marital deafness.

It is, trust me.

Lower frequencies get absorbed by surroundings, it's the higher range that gets reflected. Think about how bats use it as an example.

rumrunn6

yes
not that I can tell

pdlamb

Batgirl, is that you?

Kapusta

Ogsarg

I've had tinnitus for about 15 years now and wind noise definitely makes mine worse. Unfortunately, I've read that ear plugs or in-ear headphones both contribute to causing tinnitus. I've tried the Cat ears and they made a very minor improvement for me. They used to make a triangular shaped cover that went over your ears for winter use and I found that was much better in reducing wind noise but too hot if it's not below 60 or so.

Korina

I've had tinnitus forever; I hear a chorus of electronic tones in the key of C. It doesn't go away, so it's actually pretty easy for me to tune out. I haven't noticed wind noise making it worse, but it is irritating so I crocheted some ear warmers. I've played with the pattern over the years and can make them in a variety of yarns, my favorite being a thin cotton/acrylic blend that breathes pretty well. What I love is that they block 80% of wind noise while still being able to hear what's going on around me.



I use buttons now instead of ties.

TiHabanero

Korina, those are clever. Wondering if wool yard will better protect against the inevitable stink from sweat, or perhaps that is not an issue.

VegasJen

Korina, those are pretty nice solution! I like a lot.

Update for others. I did buy the Cat Ears and use them on my helmet for yesterday's 70.3 in Indian Wells. Have to be honest, I really didn't notice a huge difference. I would say the wind noise was quieter, but not significantly. I won't take them off or say they don't work. It just didn't cut out as much as I hoped.

Korina

Wool, of course, is great. Two caveats; it will felt over time (unless you use superwash wool) and it's warm. It's supremely breathable, but definitely warm. I've made a couple pair with fingering/sock weight superwash, which is fairly fine, but it hasn't been cold enough yet to try them. FYI the cotton/acrylic can be thrown in the washer and dryer. I may not ride enough, but for me it takes awhile for the stank to show up. Fortunately for me I have all the spares.

Thanks! Sorry your wind blockers didn't work.

Hey, if either of you want to try a pair, I have a bagful but not that much interest here. I'd be happy to send anyone a pair for $10 plus postage. PM me. If this is allowed.

Eddy_G 

I saw a review in which the reviewer states that the design of your helmet can have an affect on how effective the cat ears are.
Specifically, that some helmets hang the straps from further away from the side of your head, while others allow the straps to almost lay flat against the side of your head right below the helmet and in front of your ears.
The closer to the side of your head, the more effective cat ears will be.
Wearing your glasses on the outside of the helmet straps helps a lot.

I have no personal experience to judge this by. I have a set of cat ears arriving later this week.
Whenever the temperature rises back to my comfort zone here, I'll finally get to do my own test.
Elvis style.

VegasJen

I can believe that about strap location. Seems all my helmets, the straps come away from the side of my head. But that's mostly because I have an odd shaped head. Sucks to be me.

Ssj

I always wear a thin headband that covers my ears. It’s from Gore and thin like jersey fabric.

I used cat ears and another version of it before. They work great, but looked horrible and collected too much sweat.

LarrySellerz

My brother is forever obsessed with tinnitus and doesn’t go to music shows without headphones. I learned my lesson a long time ago, and prefer to change tubes with ear protection on.

vegasjen is prob my favorite poster here, not that it matters.

Vegas I bet you will wreck the other friathalons in the long run, they won’t last but you will.

Dino_Sore

I like the "Elvis Impersonator" look.

Sapper69

I have pretty severe tinnitus but I find the opposite. Something about being out in the fresh air, the rhythms of pedalling and tyres on the road surface, other natural sounds around me, physical exercise etc, totally distract me from the tinnitus, so it's actually a good form of relief. For me, tinnitus is at its worst when I'm in a totally quiet environment with no other distractions.

easyupbug 

Same for me, I could not have said it better.

VegasJen

Thank you for that. I'm flattered and have no idea what I have done to deserve such recognition. I'm really not here that much anyway.
It is interesting how each of us experience it differently. I have yet to figure out all of the various triggers for me, but certainly a few. Sadly, I have found the only relief seems to be a good night sleep to allow the nerves to "reset".

Sapper69

I can definitely relate to your comments about tinnitus at its worst when your nervous system is firing. I have a CNS injury, accounting for my tinnitus, chronic insomnia etc. Thinking more about wind noise, perhaps subconsciously for me the wind noise while I'm riding is possibly just the right frequency white noise to cancel out my tinnitus. In any case, being out on the road is where I hardly notice my tinnitus at all.

joesch

+1

rsbob 

Give it another try adjusting at least the front straps to be as tight to your face as you can get. That is the only way Cat ears or a similar product will be effective. My wife also has tinnitus and uses Cat ears and says that the reduction in wind noise is about 50% which is substantial. She also tightened her straps way down. Good luck

VegasJen

Ya, I probably should spend more time with stuff like that. I'm pretty bad about getting certain things "close enough".