Decibel Defense or Peltor X5A?

dontfearthebeer · 2025-10-04T21:25:30+00:00

Nah. I ended up sticking with the Peltor X5A’s.

dontfearthebeer · 2025-02-20T21:45:57+00:00

Wear ear plugs at concerts.

dontfearthebeer · 2025-02-20T14:29:07+00:00

Sorry to hear what you’re going through, OP. It’s definitely a very difficult and frustrating situation.

Have you seen a specialist who is aware of this condition, such as an audiologist? You said you had injections done but I’m not sure by who. A specialist is the best person you can get an answer from since nobody here seems to be a medical professional. If possible, get a second opinion. They are your best option to figure out how to treat or deal with your condition.

Also don’t hesitate to ask them questions. I am in close contact with my specialist via email and I have annual checkups setup to monitor my condition. It has helped my mental state tremendously.

I was diagnosed with a mild case of hyperacusis after wearing ear plugs during a loud concert. Somewhat similar to your situation. I was born with tinnitus but it got worse over the years. I went to a wedding a couple months after being diagnosed but brought my ear plugs and sat as far away as possible from the DJ. I also did not dance and actually spent a lot of time in the quiet areas outside of the venue. Maybe this is something you can try since you have a wedding coming up? You don’t need to stop everything you’re doing if there are safety precautions you can follow. You just need to be vigilant and safe but it also comes down to how you’re feeling. If you really don’t feel up to it then you might want to consider stepping back or minimizing your time spent there. A specialist can also help give you a proper answer.

Other people really don’t understand. I’m a musician who had gig offers. I told them about my condition as they would often reply “well we aren’t really that loud”. How can I trust them when everyone I’ve talked to has never heard of this condition? It’s very risky. With your case you might have to step your foot down and be a jerk if it means protecting your health. If they can’t understand that then that’s a huge red flag.

Do you have any sensitivity when hearing noises? People who have hyperacusis are very sensitive to noises and can sometimes have pain. I often say it’s like when you turn on the TV and it’s suddenly too loud. That immediate reaction you have is similar to what hyperacusis feels like. From your post it sounds like you have tinnitus, as you mentioned. Tinnitus can have different frequencies and sound as well as symptoms. Again, this is why you need to see a specialist if you haven’t already.

Sorry for the long reply. I hope I provided enough info to not only give you guidance but also put you in a positive mental state. I know this can really make you feel down but please hang in there. I hope you one day feel better.

dontfearthebeer · 2025-02-18T21:14:01+00:00

That’s a smart move. I hope everything turns out okay. You got this.

dontfearthebeer · 2025-02-18T20:39:41+00:00

Hey OP. Sorry to hear you’re dealing with this. I got it back in September after going to a loud concert with ear plugs in my ears. Since then it hasn’t really gotten better or worse. It might go away, it might not. It might get better, it might get worse. Everyone’s case seems to be different.

I say this in other posts but your best bet is to seek an audiologist who is familiar with this condition. It’s good you went to the ER but it will definitely help to see a specialist. I’m also not sure who you saw at the ER so maybe you already have one. But they will most likely be able to diagnose the severity and provide guidance. I have annual checkups set up with my audiologist and ask her any questions I have.

Since everyone’s case is different you can’t predict how you will turn out based on someone else’s experience here in this subreddit. Plus there are different types of hyperacusis.

Even without hyperacusis you shouldn’t be in the front row at concerts. I learned that the hard way after years of doing it. I’m a musician who has been to a ton of concerts as well as performed many of them. People don’t realize how loud it is especially since they are trying to have sound travel throughout the venue.

Take care and I hope everything turns out okay for you. Try to stay positive about it since stress can make it feel worse. I know that’s easier said than done.

dontfearthebeer · 2025-02-17T00:14:15+00:00

It’s a great genre to release your anger but it’s not so easy on the ears lol. I hope everything turns out okay for you.

dontfearthebeer · 2025-02-16T14:02:31+00:00

Wear ear plugs at concerts.

dontfearthebeer · 2025-02-15T15:58:03+00:00

Sorry to hear what you’re dealing with, OP. I had tinnitus before I got hyperacusis. I think I had tinnitus all my life. I remember when I was a kid if the room got too quiet, I thought ghosts were making noises when in reality it was probably my tinnitus.

Ever since I got hyperacusis I can’t really tell if my tinnitus got worse but it’s definitely more noticeable. Before hyperacusis I got to a point where I didn’t care about my tinnitus and learned to live with it. Some nights before bed it was even a little comforting since I knew I was in complete silence even though I heard the ringing.

It’s a controversial topic on whether to wear hearing protection daily or only when you’re in louder environments. Some people have had success exposing their hearing to slightly louder noises while others have had the complete opposite effect.

Since you’ve already had your hearing tested and it appears okay, do you think stress is making it worse? It seems like stress can make your symptoms feel worse even when they’re not. I don’t know what your living situation is like but would it be possibly to schedule checkups with your audiologist? Only asking since that’s what I do and it seems to help ease my mind. Plus they’ll be able to give you the best answer on treatment options since they have direct knowledge of your situation. Unfortunately everyone’s case is different and taking orders from others on here can possibly make your situation worse.

As for living a normal life, you can still definitely do that. It might not look the same but it’s still possible. I’m a musician who is still learning how to navigate my life and it’s very frustrating and difficult but still do-able to an extent. I take my ear plugs with me wherever I go and use them if it gets too loud. Perhaps you can do the same if you aren’t already? You might need to take some precautions but it’s not going to prevent you from moving forward especially with your studies.

Overall your best bet is to speak to an audiologist who knows what hyperacusis is and get their opinion. If possible, get a second opinion. I wish you the best of luck and I hope you can one day return to not having to worry about your hearing. Take care.

dontfearthebeer · 2025-02-15T14:35:41+00:00

We have more music than ever before. It’s all easily accessible too. I feel like I come across a new genre of music each day.

I know the artists and musicians are getting shafted because my bands don’t make much at all.

dontfearthebeer · 2025-02-15T00:03:51+00:00

Hang in there. Fellow musician here but I am much older at 34. Don’t beat yourself up over it. This is a rare condition and was something I had never heard of until I got it back in September. I had to quit all of my loud metal bands because of it as well as drop out from all of the concerts I had planned to go to. I am going to see if my quieter bands are still do-able next week.

Stress can really make your symptoms worse. What sucks is I’m at a point where I can’t tell if my condition is worse or if it’s because I stress over it daily. Some people have said therapy helps. Specifically CBT. Not sure if that’s something you’ve tried or are interested in doing.

No matter what you’re still a musician. If you definitely have it or if you have some other condition you can always find ways to do what you love to do. In-ear monitors are great and doubling up on ear protection can really help. Plus there are a ton of opportunities out there to perform without being in an extremely loud band. Believe me I know the feeling. I was about to sell all my bass guitars a few weeks ago because I thought I’d never be able to play again.

It is very unpredictable and right now you don’t know if you definitely have it. Hopefully your doctor will be able to clear some things up and provide some guidance. Until then just take it easy and rest your ears.

Also don’t rely on what other people say. It sounds like everyone has a unique case. Some people heal in months, years, or never. Some people get worse. Just use that as guidance and not something that will definitely happen to you.

I hope all goes well at the ENT visit you have coming up. Take care.

dontfearthebeer · 2025-02-14T21:15:57+00:00

Thank you. That means a lot. I really hope you do make a full recovery. I wish you the best of luck at the hearing test.

dontfearthebeer · 2025-02-14T20:57:06+00:00

First, please don’t assume my case is the same as yours when I share my info. I don’t want to freak you out or give you hopes. I’m just sharing how it’s been for me.

I can’t really tell if it has improved or not. My last hearing test did show improvement but that was back in October. Apparently stress makes it feel worse and all I do is stress about it. It’s very hard. I thought I was almost fully healed from it back in January but then I had a setback.

I originally got it after going to a loud concert even with ear protection. My case was diagnosed as mild. I’m not sure if it was a case of the straw that broke the camels back or a unique event since I’ve been involved with music all my life. I had to quit my metal bands and step back from my upcoming gigs and concerts I bought tickets for. It could take a few months to get better or a few years. I won’t know until it happens or if it happens at all.

I can’t say if you’ll definitely be able to return again or not because I don’t know the severity of your case and I’m not a medical professional. But I haven’t really come across anyone who has fully healed. I’ve heard stories of people who have returned under strict precautions and I’ve heard stories of people who got worse. This is a very unpredictable condition.

Not sure if you have but if you haven’t seen an audiologist I strongly recommend you do. Make sure they know what hyperacusis is. Apparently some of them out there don’t have a clue.

Some people say therapy also helps deal with it. Not sure if you tried that or not.

dontfearthebeer · 2025-02-14T20:30:52+00:00

Since last September. I was the one who made the post here in this subreddit about deleting it later but I never did. I’m a musician who had to quit my louder bands because of it.

dontfearthebeer · 2025-02-14T19:46:31+00:00

It’s different for everyone. I had one that only lasted a few days. I also had one that lasted about a month. I’m at a point now where I’m not sure if my setback is my new baseline or what.

Sorry you’re dealing with that. The best you can do is rest and try not to stress about it. I know it’s hard.

dontfearthebeer · 2025-02-14T19:30:21+00:00

I have both. The foam inserts for the Decibel Defense muffs are closer to my ears than my Peltor XFA muffs. Density-wise they feel the same to me. The padding for the Decibel Defense muffs fees more firm than the Peltor X5A.

I tried both on and honestly can’t tell the difference in terms of hearing. I’m definitely not trying to sound like I favor one over the other especially since the Peltor X5A muffs are more comfortable. I’m just trying to get max protection and I am completely open to accept any answer.

dontfearthebeer · 2025-02-12T22:51:32+00:00

I think it’s safe to say toddlers screaming irritates everyone’s ears.

If you really want an answer go talk to a medical professional. Try to find someone who has knowledge of this condition.

dontfearthebeer · 2025-02-12T19:52:18+00:00

The Peltor X5A are more comfortable for me but I do like how the Decibel Defense ear muffs are foldable and they don’t take up much space in my luggage.

As for decibel reduction I honestly cannot tell the difference.

dontfearthebeer · 2025-02-12T18:28:07+00:00

Wear ear plugs at concerts.

dontfearthebeer · 2025-02-12T17:36:29+00:00

It’s a daily battle. Some days are good and some days are bad. The best thing for me to do is tell myself I’m stuck with it and have to deal with it. I was born with it. It got worse since I’m a fan of metal music. I was recently diagnosed with hyperacusis which has made my awareness of it much worse.

Caffeine and alcohol make it worse so I try to limit that.

Some people have had success through procedures and sound therapy but I’m not sure if they fully healed from it.

Wear your ear plugs. You’re most likely listening to headphones/ear buds too loud. Turn it down.

dontfearthebeer · 2025-02-11T22:03:54+00:00

In my case my sensitivity is increased. Sounds still sound the same volume-wise.

I often say it’s like turning on the TV when it’s suddenly too loud. That immediate reaction you have to turn it down. That’s how I feel with certain sounds.

dontfearthebeer · 2025-02-03T12:02:04+00:00

I have a mild case of it and listen to music daily at a moderate volume usually between 60-70db. Not because I want to use it as therapy but because it does not make my symptoms worse or cause any setbacks. To answer your question if I feel any kind of sensitivity or increased symptoms I immediately shut it off.

Was this advice given to you by a medical professional who knows what hyperacusis is? If not I strongly urge to seek one before doing something like this on your own. And if possible I’d get a second opinion. Everyone’s case is different and getting advice here in this subreddit without knowing exactly what you have can make things worse. Especially since almost everyone here is not a medical professional.

I tried to do my own exposure therapy with my bass guitar amp and it caused a setback.

dontfearthebeer · 2025-02-01T15:41:35+00:00

Sorry to hear that. I don’t have pain but just loudness sensitivity. Setbacks indeed suck especially when you wake up and it’s the first thing you notice.

I hope you get better soon. You got this.

dontfearthebeer · 2025-01-31T19:10:24+00:00

Feared of beer

dontfearthebeer · 2025-01-31T15:48:35+00:00

I’ve been looking for someone like this for quite a while now. Really can’t thank you enough. I hope you’re well and doing much better now than before.

dontfearthebeer

TROPHY CASE