Severe tinnitus

[Holenback]

Looking for some insight from those currently studying MDs or dentists. Looking for some personal experiences of hope, as I am close to giving up on my dreams

Anyone with severe tinnitus who is a medical or dental student? The kind that you can hear at all times. Just wondering if it’s still possible to continue my dental degree and become a dentist.

Currently it’s really affected my mental health and has caused significant issues with concentration.

Not looking for medical advice - I have been cleared of all the red flags and been seen my MDs and specialists. Just looking for support from those who have gone through similar things.

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[Ryxndek]

While I don't have constant tinnitus I definitely get it more frequently now due to the high-speed handpieces. I'd recommend trying to get some high-fidelity ear plugs to protect your ears and not have your symptoms get worse. Zounds or Loop Experience High-fidelity ear plugs are what some of my classmates wear. Definitely something to check out.

 

[macsak]

"Currently it’s really affected my mental health and has caused significant issues with concentration."
the tinnitus likely to get worse over time even with as many preventive measures as you can use
and mental health/concentration issues are not something you want to deal with as a dental student or as a dentist
i would recommend considering finding something else to do unless you can get the issue resolved...

Looking for some insight from those currently studying MDs or dentists. Looking for some personal experiences of hope, as I am close to giving up on my dreams

Anyone with severe tinnitus who is a medical or dental student? The kind that you can hear at all times. Just wondering if it’s still possible to continue my dental degree and become a dentist.

Currently it’s really affected my mental health and has caused significant issues with concentration.

Not looking for medical advice - I have been cleared of all the red flags and been seen my MDs and specialists. Just looking for support from those who have gone through similar things.

 

[Holenback]

"Currently it’s really affected my mental health and has caused significant issues with concentration."
the tinnitus likely to get worse over time even with as many preventive measures as you can use
and mental health/concentration issues are not something you want to deal with as a dental student or as a dentist
i would recommend considering finding something else to do unless you can get the issue resolved...

How do you know it’ll get worse?

 

[macsak]

How do you know it’ll get worse?

i didn't say it will get worse, i said it will likely get worse
you will still be subject to noise even if you take precautions
what have the MDs and specialists said?

 

[Holenback]

i didn't say it will get worse, i said it will likely get worse
you will still be subject to noise even if you take precautions
what have the MDs and specialists said?

Basically everyone has said to live my life as normal. I got engaged to my fiancé (love of my life) whilst feeling like **** and have tried to normalise my life. Really difficult though, I would not wish this upon my worst enemy.

I’ve looked at some research articles examining the noise in dental clinics, I feel that with at least a 15db reduction I should be safe considering most high speed hand pieces and high vol suction are generally a maximum of 80-85db on average and considering below 80dbs is considered safe. But obviously that’s not a guarantee.

I am stuck in a hard place. I am someone who sacrificed a lot - time, friends, relationships, precious time with family and not to mention my effort to get into the course in order to go after my dream. I am barely coping in my current physical therapy role.

 

[macsak]

Basically everyone has said to live my life as normal. I got engaged to my fiancé (love of my life) whilst feeling like **** and have tried to normalise my life. Really difficult though, I would not wish this upon my worst enemy.

I’ve looked at some research articles examining the noise in dental clinics, I feel that with at least a 15db reduction I should be safe considering most high speed hand pieces and high vol suction are generally a maximum of 80-85db on average and considering below 80dbs is considered safe. But obviously that’s not a guarantee.

I am stuck in a hard place. I am someone who sacrificed a lot - time, friends, relationships, precious time with family and not to mention my effort to get into the course in order to go after my dream. I am barely coping in my current physical therapy role.

you are a physical therapist? or receiving physical therapy?

 

[Holenback]

you are a physical therapist? or receiving physical therapy?

No I’m a physical therapist who’s in dental school

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Welcome to the forums.

Have you seen an audiologist? Have you talked with any faculty? Have you seen a mental health counselor?

What you are describing is common:

https://www.wjoud.com/doi/10.5005/jp-journals-10015-2253

"Say what?" Dental Students Learn High-pitched Drills Double the Risk of Hearing Loss Among Dentists

"Say what?" Dental students learn high-pitched drills double the risk of hearing loss among dentists

news.cuanschutz.edu

Hearing Protection Program for Dental Students: The Journey

Musician earplugs and hearing health education can benefit professionals in other industries, like dentistry, who suffer from hearing loss.

hearingreview.com

Dental patients’ tinnitus profile: prevalence, types, and associated factors with oral and maxillofacial diseases | Acta Odontologica Scandinavica

medicaljournalssweden.se

 

[PHscale73]

Looking for some insight from those currently studying MDs or dentists. Looking for some personal experiences of hope, as I am close to giving up on my dreams

Anyone with severe tinnitus who is a medical or dental student? The kind that you can hear at all times. Just wondering if it’s still possible to continue my dental degree and become a dentist.

Currently it’s really affected my mental health and has caused significant issues with concentration.

Not looking for medical advice - I have been cleared of all the red flags and been seen my MDs and specialists. Just looking for support from those who have gone through similar things.

A guy in my class has it, and he is acing almost everything. Granted he is a freak of nature who only needs to study the day before exams, so if you are not like that, I am not sure.

 

[Holenback]

A guy in my class has it, and he is acing almost everything. Granted he is a freak of nature who only needs to study the day before exams, so if you are not like that, I am not sure.

Really? Do you know if his is loud enough that he can hear it all the time? Or is it only in quiet environments?

 

[Holenback]

Welcome to the forums.

Have you seen an audiologist? Have you talked with any faculty? Have you seen a mental health counselor?

What you are describing is common:

https://www.wjoud.com/doi/10.5005/jp-journals-10015-2253

"Say what?" Dental Students Learn High-pitched Drills Double the Risk of Hearing Loss Among Dentists

"Say what?" Dental students learn high-pitched drills double the risk of hearing loss among dentists

news.cuanschutz.edu

Hearing Protection Program for Dental Students: The Journey

Musician earplugs and hearing health education can benefit professionals in other industries, like dentistry, who suffer from hearing loss.

hearingreview.com

Dental patients’ tinnitus profile: prevalence, types, and associated factors with oral and maxillofacial diseases | Acta Odontologica Scandinavica

medicaljournalssweden.se

Yes I have gotten some conditions in place - can wear earplugs and may get some additional time during exams. But unfortunately it’s predominantly studying and learning new concepts which is challenging. I’m not sure how to go about that.

I have seen ent and gone through all the medical investigations, unfortunately nothing they can do other than ‘get use to it’. I’ve also been seeing a cbt audiologist that specialises in tinnitus management, but i can’t say it’s helping me to cope with it sadly. Thank you for the resources. I know doing dentistry is a risk, but it’s difficult to give up on my dream

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Yes I have gotten some conditions in place - can wear earplugs and may get some additional time during exams. But unfortunately it’s predominantly studying and learning new concepts which is challenging. I’m not sure how to go about that.

I have seen ent and gone through all the medical investigations, unfortunately nothing they can do other than ‘get use to it’. I’ve also been seeing a cbt audiologist that specialises in tinnitus management, but i can’t say it’s helping me to cope with it sadly. Thank you for the resources. I know doing dentistry is a risk, but it’s difficult to give up on my dream

As a physical therapist, I'm sure you understand some of the challenges of rehabilitation. I am not in your situation, nor am I a medical professional, to say you cannot practice dentistry with your condition, but I'm hopeful someone can help you overcome this challenge. You know how much effort it takes psychologically, so I hope you can tap into that insight.

 

[PHscale73]

Really? Do you know if his is loud enough that he can hear it all the time? Or is it only in quiet environments?

Yeah, he said it is constant.

 

[Holenback]

As a physical therapist, I'm sure you understand some of the challenges of rehabilitation. I am not in your situation, nor am I a medical professional, to say you cannot practice dentistry with your condition, but I'm hopeful someone can help you overcome this challenge. You know how much effort it takes psychologically, so I hope you can tap into that insight.

Thank you for your kind words and support. I am suppose to go back soon. I guess I will just give it my all and see how I go. Fingers crossed. Thank you

 

[Holenback]

Yeah, he said it is constant.

Does he hear it literally everywhere though? Or only when it’s quiet?

 

[PHscale73]

Does he hear it literally everywhere though? Or only when it’s quiet?

Everywhere

 

[OMSDoc]

My ears ring all the time, and they have since I was 19. It sounds like I have crickets all the time.

It has never slowed me down in my profession. I use a Hall drill, and there are two types: nitrogen-driven and electric. The former is bad for your ears; the latter is not.