Tinnitus and coasters....?

I have a friend who has developed a mild case of tinnitus in one ear, and was wondering whether he could/should continue to ride coasters and thrill rides. He is checking with his doc, but I was wondering if anyone has firsthand experience with this, and could offer any suggestions.

Steve: "Club disease."

Newspaper Vendor: "Aaaah you kids are gonna go deaf!"

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Jeff (who wonders if anyone will get it)
"Pray that your country undergoes recovery!" - KMFDM

Got it, Jeff. :-)

"Do you want to know what I think? I think that, (1) You DO have an act, and (2) your act is not having an act."

-Ben in Seattle
*** This post was edited by Railshark 5/6/2003 4:42:24 PM ***

Rob, the problem anyone is going to face with that disease is sudden, abrupt noises. Anything sustained, and his ears are gonna be buzzing. He should wear hearing protection. He will be fine that way.
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Timberhawk opens in June! I'm gonna beat you to it... ;)

Ear condoms?
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"Like most problems in life, it's nothing that can't be solved with a little bending"...Bender, Futurama

HAHAHAHA! nice one gator

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Colossus [1]
Nemesis: Inferno [6]

You can purchase special hearing protection that is available to the music world, via your local audiologist. They run about $125 and cut out anywhere from 15 to 25 dB. They allow all attenuation, so everything sounds the same, just a lot quieter. This might be a good, long-term, solution for your friend, Rob.

Bill, you are just jealous I even need protection. ;)
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Trouble underfoot? You decide.

Thanks Rob, I'll pass it along.

P.S. Did I tell you Ethyl's cover of "I am the walrus" was way cool!:)
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3 weeks to the trip that I've only ever dreamed of...

I have tinnitus but it originated from screaming girls at a concert, you can bet I have worn ear plugs to every concert after that (they muffle the screams, not the music.) Anyway, after riding S:UE 2,500 + times I figured those sounds couldn't be good for my ears either so I started wearing ear plugs when I rode S:UE as well. Tinnitus can be real annoying at times and other times you forget you have it.
*** This post was edited by JulieSFO 5/7/2003 10:04:52 AM ***

Rob, no you didn't, but thanks for just saying you did! :) It was a lot of fun, eh?

On topic, any decent audiologist can make them for you, but if worse comes to worse, I can refer you to the person in Seattle that made mine. Perhaps she can refer to someone in Portland.
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3 weeks to the trip that Robo has only dreamed of...... and I get to ride TTD!

And Rob, living in Seattle of all places, didn't get my movie quote.

I have problems with high frequency noise in my left ear these days, mostly triggered by screaming girls in gyms at volleyball tournaments, and sometimes in the car (because the damn tweeters are high on the door). Concerts don't bother me, and bass isn't an issue at all.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
"Pray that your country undergoes recovery!" - KMFDM

That's weird Jeff, cause for me bASS is a big problem....

bill, fine hearing, just terrible at LISTENING
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"Like most problems in life, it's nothing that can't be solved with a little bending"...Bender, Futurama

It's probably best to see the doc about your special case.
Tinitus can have a palette of different reasons, including ear problems, damage or problems with the nervous system (ear nerve) or even in-brain problems.
It may be due to problems or tensions in the way you hold your neck, in which case a ride's Gs may make things worse, but in most cases GeForces or other things don't have anything to do with tinitus as they are due to loud noises.
The best way to deal with that is to keep away from unpleasantly loud noises and avoiding to think about it.
Try to sit upright when you have to work a lot in a sitting position and take enough breaks to relax... and also, drink enough water (dehydration may also be a problem).
Earplugs can make it all worse, as you may hear the Tinitus all the time, and some research suggests that the best strategy is to "forget" the Tinitus, if it's at all possible.

... well there's a ton more things you can try, and avoiding coasters is probably one of the least effective.

Jeff, I did get your movie quote, as Ben and I were talking about it yesterday. :) One of my faves, I might add, but I don't want anyone to think I am kissing your behind, because I don't mean this in an Eddie Haskell kind of way. ;)
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Timberhawk opens in June! I'm gonna beat you to it... ;)

This is not the bathroom!

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
"Pray that your country undergoes recovery!" - KMFDM

I know she's not your type, but that silly Bridget Fonda? Yum! :)
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Timberhawk opens in June! I'm gonna beat you to it... ;)

I think she was cuter before the boob job. I think she went too far.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
"Pray that your country undergoes recovery!" - KMFDM

Agreed. She was so hot in those early movies of hers. :) Look at you, Jeff! Taking the thread off topic, and everything.... ;)
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Timberhawk opens in June! I'm gonna beat you to it... ;)