Last night, I didn't fall asleep until after 6 AM. So I guess, technically, I didn't fall asleep until this morning. The reason I couldn't fall asleep? Tinnitus. For the last few years, I've fallen asleep with the TV on. It (mostly) drowns out the high-pitched whistle that is my constant companion. Last night, though, I couldn't tune it out. If you're curious, set your volume to its normal level and click here and go over to the 12 kHz column on the right, and then down to -33 dB. That's the sound I hear. All the time. All. The. Time. Some have theorized that Vincent Van Gogh had tinnitus, which is why he cut off his ear. If he had it, he wouldn't just cut off one.
My father and my brother are going to use the link above and find out under what sound range their tinnitus falls. ("Tinnitus Falls", coming soon to NBC.)
For all you damn kids out there, with your iPods and your hula hoops, here's some free advice: turn the damn things down. My 12 kHz hell is courtesy of loud music as a youth. Stuff I don't even listen to any longer. Bear that in mind, and get the hell off of my lawn!
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3 comments:
I have tinnitus because I have an inner ear disorder called Meniere's Disease which also causes vertigo. The vertigo attacks only happen very occasionally but the tinnitus is permanent. Most of the time I can ignore it but it does keep me awake too sometimes.
Wow! thanks for the depresssion! I couldn't hear anything until 12kHz- 24dbl! I too have to sleep with the t.v. on, and other background noises. (ex-wife, daughter, current girlfriend.) I always wondered why they sounded like buzzing and clicking.... thought I had a thing for pygmies... I guesss I too spent too many years on the tractor, and listening to crap.
PS I have just tagged you. :) Check out my blog to see why.
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