Tinnitus: Noise Pollution Reduction System (NPRS)

One of the problems that tinnitus sufferers experience is surrounding noises that we have absolutely no control over (car alarms, movie theater sound levels, sirens, crying kids, public announcement systems, airplane engines, lawn equipment, etc.). Clearly tinnitus sufferers are more sensitive to certain sounds. These sounds can magnify the tinnitus for people like me with cochlear damage.

Specifically, I want to enjoy movies but certain sounds at certain pitch levels amplify the tinnitus in the movie theater. Many movie theaters offer free headphones but the headphones that they offer are not noise canceling headphones. The headphones are for people with hearing loss not for people with tinnitus.

I posted an iPhone solution to this problem in a previous post. However, I realize that not everyone who has tinnitus owns an iPhone. This alternative solution turned out to be even better. I call it the Noise Pollution Reduction System (NPRS).

Noise Pollution Reduction System (NPRS) Components:
(Note: I do not sell any of the components. You have to purchase them on your own.)

1. Insert hearing aid maskers into the ears (I use Resound Live TS) and turn on the masker. 
2. Then plug a pair of noise cancellation headphones (Bose Quietcomfort 15 for example) into a high-quality recorder (I use H2next ZOOM). If you plan to use this system outside frequently you'll need a wind screen for the recorder. It comes with the H2n Accessory Pack. 
3. Place the headphones over the hearing aid maskers. 
4. Turn on the headphones and adjust the recorder volume and mic gain to your specific safety and comfort level. 

Your quality of life may improve significantly, like mine. I was able to take my system to a Scottish Games festival and I enjoyed taking control over crowd noise, bagpipes, drums, and stage performances, and even low flying aircraft near the festival. I am no longer a victim of loudness. I simply turned the mic gain way down (on the recorder), turned the volume way down (on the recorder), and turned on the headphones, while having the hearing aid maskers running in my ears. 

This solution gives you more control over the noise pollution and environmental noise around you. Just think, you'll be able to fly again, enjoy a movie, or turn down the sound of nearby lawn equipment, heavy traffic noises, sirens, car alarms, or crying kids.

Be sure to tell your hearing specialist what you intend to do and get some guidance before you implement this solution for yourself. What works for me may not necessarily work for you. Your hearing specialist may even help you to identify your limits for the recorder settings. This will prevent you from using the recorder in a way that would make your tinnitus worse.

What you believe your comfort sound level to be may be beyond your safe sound range. Get fitted for this solution by a hearing specialist. 

I keep my Resound Live TS maskers in my ears while I have the headphones turned on and plugged into the recorder at the movie theater. It really is amazing. I used to dread going to the theater. Now I enjoy it just like everyone else.

I inform the theater staff about NPRS before I go into the movie theater so that they don't think that I'm trying to record the movie. You may want to leave the memory card out of the recorder. You don't need it. The response from theater staff has been very positive. They are fine with NPRS and somewhat fascinated by the innovation.

The logic behind NPRS:
I used to have cilia (hairlike cells) in my cochlea that would buffer certain sounds. Those cells and hairs are damaged and no longer working. The Noise Pollution Reduction System, that David Werkheiser and I have innovated brings that former level of protection back.

NPRS may even be better than the natural protection of the cochlea because of the new ability to control noise pollution. For example, the cochlea can buffer noise but the cochlea cannot control the noise volume.

Some of my friends have already said, "Steven, you and David should patent this innovation and make a lot of money." David and I both agree that it would take years to patent the innovation and have it peer reviewed, etc. etc. I want people who have tinnitus to know right away when I find something that works for me. Hence, the creation of this blog. I am not a paid spokesperson for any of the products that I use or mention on this blog. I do not sell the products. Most of the products are available on Amazon.com.

NPRS is not a cure for tinnitus. It is a solution to a problem that tinnitus sufferers struggle with everyday, noise pollution that amplifies the tinnitus exponentially over time. Unfortunately, NPRS will not help tinnitus sufferers to sleep better. It may help to prevent the tinnitus from getting worse.

Researchers can take this information and use it to formulate a clinically approved system. I hope that the NPRS sparks a graduate student or medical professionals to research another innovation that leads to a cure for tinnitus. That would be great!

NPRS Innovator Backgrounds:
Steven Lucas holds a masters degree in adult education and distance learning. He is a former Navy intelligence specialist and former training manager that suffers from severe chronic tinnitus. Through his practical experience Steven is dedicated to helping other tinnitus sufferers find relief from the condition.

David Werkheiser is a nuclear engineer and graduate of Penn State. He is a systems expert who played an integral role in recommending components of the NPRS.