Posted by tiftastic I don't, and I've paid for it after the fact. It's one of those things that I know I should do, but is just not comfortable or convenient - like wearing ear plugs at concerts. ::shrug::

Ear protection is important because, youngster, you won't notice most of the damage you did until hit about 40 yo that you did in your youth.
War vets will tell you that... something to do with the nerve cells dying off.
Hearing loss is age progressive in everyone; the more early damage you cause, the less you'll have later as you age.

Posted by blackhawk Ear protection is important because, youngster, you won't notice most of the damage you did until hit about 40 yo that you did in your youth.

Well - I'm 37 and half deaf. If it gets worse at 40, I'm screwed!

Posted by tiftastic Well - I'm 37 and half deaf. If it gets worse at 40, I'm screwed!

Those are typical patterns.
Bottom line; protect what you have.
Anytime sound exposure causes ringing, it's caused some damage.
Avoid doing more.
When overexposed protect your ears for at least 24 hours to allow them to heal.
Further exposures cause greater damage if ears are in the healing process.

Avoid all ototoxic substances.
Neosporin is a real bad one. Limit exposure ie frequent use or large areas of skin and deep lacerations.
Never use it in ear the canal.

Posted by blackhawk Ear protection is important because, youngster, you won't notice most of the damage you did until hit about 40 yo that you did in your youth. War vets will tell you that... something to do with the nerve cells dying off. Hearing loss is age progressive in everyone; the more early damage you cause, the less you'll have later as you age.

I'm 41 and my hearing isn't terrible, but it's far from perfect. Working at the airport, and as a cremator operator, as well as loud warehouse jobs, without hearing protection, has taken its toll in the form of tinnitus. Of course loud music, concerts, and target practice (always wore hearing protection for the latter, but sometimes the shooting starts early) have contributed.
It's not awful yet, but can be irritating, so I do my best to protect what remains.
One day about 10 years ago, I was reading in my apartment, and noticed this sound that was like someone dragging a piece of angle iron on concrete. After not finding a source, I covered my ears, and realized the sound was internal...tinnitus.
Any loud noise exposure causes damage, but I've heard the worst is prolonged exposure to loud, constant noise (like a jet engine), as opposed to something that fluctuates in pitch (like loud music).

Posted by Cfourexplore After not finding a source, I covered my ears, and realized the sound was internal...tinnitus. Any loud noise exposure causes damage, but I've heard the worst is prolonged exposure to loud, constant noise (like a jet engine), as opposed to something that fluctuates in pitch (like loud music).

Nothing like internal white noise
It can come in multiple pitches too.
Took you long enough to recognize it.
Don't get to excited; it's been there a while.
Be glad it's not your balance; lots of important shit you can get damaged in the ear.
Some of the ototoxic drugs also damage the nerve cells responsible for balance.
Sometimes transient but many times permanent.
Best to read up on this.

Higher frequencies can transmit more energy and do more damage than lower ones.
Jet engines are rich in high decibel levels of the latter. On carrier decks even ear plugs plus muffs isn't enough... last detent position/afterburner up close are a real bitch.

With extreme high decibels lower frequency bone conduction is also an issue. Ear muffs are almost transparent to the lower bass frequencies.

Posted by blackhawk Nothing like internal white noise It can come in multiple pitches too. Took you long enough to recognize it. Don't get to excited; it's been there a while. Be glad it's not your balance; lots of important shit you can get damaged in the ear. Some of the ototoxic drugs also damage the nerve cells responsible for balance. Sometimes transient but many times permanent. Best to read up on this. Higher frequencies can transmit more energy and do more damage than lower ones. Jet engines are rich in high decibel levels of the latter. On carrier decks even ear plugs plus muffs isn't enough... last detent position/afterburner up close are a real bitch. With extreme high decibels lower frequency bone conduction is also an issue. Ear muffs are almost transparent to the lower bass frequencies.

Oddly enough, I have surprisingly good balance. My last checkup, the doctor said I had alot of scar tissue in my ear canal...I had tubes put in, then removed, at about 10 yo.
The tinnitus probably started in my 20s, I usually don't notice it unless it's quiet; that sound I described before, it was almost funny how long it took to realize it wasn't external...like you said, the pitches differ; keeps it interesting I suppose 😏.
Thanks for the tips, I'll look into it; this is bearable now; maybe not so much in 10 years.

Posted by Cfourexplore Oddly enough, I have surprisingly good balance. My last checkup, the doctor said I had alot of scar tissue in my ear canal...I had tubes put in, then removed, at about 10 yo. The tinnitus probably started in my 20s, I usually don't notice it unless it's quiet; that sound I described before, it was almost funny how long it took to realize it wasn't external...like you said, the pitches differ; keeps it interesting I suppose 😏. Thanks for the tips, I'll look into it; this is bearable now; maybe not so much in 10 years.

If you limit your sound exposure it should progress slowly. Watch the volume on your cell calls and from household items ie vacuums, lawnmowers. Use muffs or plugs for even short high db exposures.
Oddly as your hearing becomes impaired loud sounds are less bearable many times.
Hard anabolic exercise is beneficial to hearing ie increases circulation and hgh levels.

Posted by Decayed Insanity I wear them for sure when in underground tunnels, basements etc. Above ground in a well ventilated location I won't. I am 25 and not dead yet...however if you want a respirator get a p100 respirator they are rated for asbestos, mold etc.

I saw this and thought yeah you need the p100d and then remembered we're talking about respirators and not Tesla cars

Posted by Cfourexplore I had tubes put in, then removed, at about 10 yo. The tinnitus probably started in my 20s, I usually don't notice it unless it's quiet

Ditto - I had tubes put in when I was little and almost constant tinnitus at this point. Only when it's quiet though - I have to sleep with the radio on or it drives me batty! Now I'm feeling old...

Posted by tiftastic Ditto - I had tubes put in when I was little and almost constant tinnitus at this point. Only when it's quiet though - I have to sleep with the radio on or it drives me batty! Now I'm feeling old...

Not the tubes unless somehow they altered blood flow.
Probably from ototoxic drugs ie antibiotics or sound exposure.
Many antibiotics are ototoxic especially the IV ones.

Posted by blackhawk Not the tubes unless somehow they altered blood flow. Probably from ototoxic drugs ie antibiotics or sound exposure. Many antibiotics are ototoxic especially the IV ones.

My guess would be sound exposure - I'm a sucker for live music.

Posted by tiftastic My guess would be sound exposure - I'm a sucker for live music.

If your ears were ringing afterwards you did damage.
The louder and longer the ringing continues indicates the severity.
Allow at least 24 hours until next exposure to allow healing otherwise it causes greater damage.
Wear ear plugs.
When you turn about 4O... then you'll really notice the damage.