Western Front Forum

General => General discussion => Topic started by: Harlequin Forest on July 23, 2009, 05:35:14 PM

Title: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: Harlequin Forest on July 23, 2009, 05:35:14 PM
Quote
Sad news in the Belgian newspapers today. Dietrich Hectors, a 29-year old Belgian metalhead (and a doctor of engineering) killed himself last Friday because he was suffering from a severe form of tinnitus and hyperacusis. Tinnitus is an incurable condition, where the ear is permanently damaged, resulting in an over-sensitivity to certain frequency ranges of sound. Despite taking some sort of medication, in the end, every single sound hurted his ears, especially his own voice. "This disease controls my life: every word hurts."

His ears got damaged permanently after a Sepultura concert in 1996. From then on, he used ear plugs for almost every loud activity. After a rehearsel with his metal band - where he forgot his plugs because he was in a hurry - his condition got worse. Eventually, Dietrich Hectors was forced to quit the band in 2003. He also gave up most of his social life - avoiding pubs etc. - locking himself up in total loneliness and silence. After visiting a small, local music festival in 2006, he took off his ear plugs, just when people started firing fireworks right next to him. When he got his plugs back in, already a few explosions had passed. The next few days, his ears started hurting like never before.

In his goodbye letter, Hectors wrote: "For the first time in my life, the ringing noise in my ears is totally unbearable. It goes beyond anything. Despite the heavier medication, EVERYTHING is hurting my ears, especially my own voice. I can no longer communicate - just when I really needed to talk with the people around me the most. A hundred times, I tried to fight back, kept myself in silence, involved in antisocial behaviour - waiting for some sort of improvement. But there is a line somewhere. That line is reached. Please respect my choice, my life has become a living hell."

He also added he now regrets his switch in musical preferences from hard-rock to heavy metal...
http://www.metalstorm.ee/events/news_comments.php?news_id=9135

I swear by earplugs now, no band is worth losing your hearing over, and a tragic story like this really justifies wearing them.
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: Dementor on July 23, 2009, 06:05:32 PM
shit, poor bugger...
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: Mago_Haydz on July 23, 2009, 06:44:18 PM
I blame Max and the boys for kicking so much arse.

Not a nice story though.

*waits for Nihilist to chime in with his pathetic, distasteful comment*
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: goatlady on July 23, 2009, 10:22:54 PM
That really sucks. My partner has permanent tinnitus from an ear infection a few years back and it's only because we're really careful about wearing plugs that it's not gotten any worse.

Does anyone know if you can get Hearos anywhere locally? I've been buying a whole heap once a year or so online but local would be more convenient. I saw some once at Kosmic ages ago for $25 a pair... they're like US $2.95 each online, but the shipping is killer.
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: ironguardian on July 24, 2009, 01:55:03 AM
Yeah, earplugs are really needed. It's rare that I forget to take a pair to a gig, and when I do, I'll often find some tissues to improvise with.

Sure, louder is better at times, but not when it can have such permanent ramifications.
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: goat on July 24, 2009, 02:18:46 AM
people are curing their tinnitus with a device called a SCENAR.
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: goatlady on July 24, 2009, 02:47:38 AM
people are curing their tinnitus with a device called a SCENAR.

That's the thing that's tuned to generate white noise at the frequencies that the person suffers at? That's not really curing it, just training your ear to tune out the noise so you don't go insane and end up like that poor Belgian dude. The hearing damage is still done.
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: nihilist on July 24, 2009, 03:16:19 AM
*waits for Nihilist to chime in with his pathetic, distasteful comment*

I can hardly do that now everyone's expecting it can I.

1996 would have been the Chaos AD tour though I'm thinking.. not a bad time to stop listening to them. Blessing in disguise perhaps? ;)
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: nihilist on July 24, 2009, 03:23:47 AM
Punishment for turning up then I suppose.
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: WarNick on July 24, 2009, 03:28:35 AM
Hearos are available at Kosmic and Concept, i'm sure other places too.

I've bought them from both these places.
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: Grim on July 24, 2009, 03:40:19 AM
I saw Napalm Death at Planet in 96. During the soundcheck for ND the kick drum was so loud that everyone in front held their chest, made a small whining noise and said something to the effect of "oohhh, fuck....that was fuckin loud".

The Bezerker at Raffles a few years ago was also unnecessarily loud. It physically hurt to at the front AND I was wearing earplugs. For me it really ruined the sound. It was so loud it was almost innaudible.   
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: goat on July 24, 2009, 03:51:30 AM
people are curing their tinnitus with a device called a SCENAR.

That's the thing that's tuned to generate white noise at the frequencies that the person suffers at? That's not really curing it, just training your ear to tune out the noise so you don't go insane and end up like that poor Belgian dude. The hearing damage is still done.
whatever works. It may have saved his ass if he knew about it.
not real sure if that's the case about the ear tuning out thing (scenar), and im not really sure if tinnitus and actual hearing "loss" are associated are they?

oh yeah btw "goatlady" is a great name, couldnt have thought of a better one myself. :laugh:
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: Mago_Haydz on July 24, 2009, 04:16:17 AM

oh yeah btw "goatlady" is a great name, couldnt have thought of a better one myself. :laugh:

hahaha... quite the pair
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: goatlady on July 24, 2009, 07:46:17 AM
oh yeah btw "goatlady" is a great name, couldnt have thought of a better one myself. :laugh:

ROFL I've been goatlady for years mate... http://enterthegoatlady.com

But I agree, all things goatish are most excellent.
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: Funeral Tormentor on July 24, 2009, 09:52:02 AM
Hearos are available at Kosmic and Concept, i'm sure other places too.

I've bought them from both these places.

but it only helps Nick when you bring them to rehearsals and put them in your ears! hahahahaha  ;D
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: Merlok on July 24, 2009, 02:07:45 PM

i use Etymotic:ER-20
great thnigs...reduces over all sound LEVEL but not sound quality

available from heaphonics  :headbang:

http://headphones.com.au/psingle?productID=7 (http://headphones.com.au/psingle?productID=7)

Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: Teeman on July 24, 2009, 02:29:22 PM
oh yeah btw "goatlady" is a great name, couldnt have thought of a better one myself. :laugh:

ROFL I've been goatlady for years mate... http://enterthegoatlady.com

But I agree, all things goatish are most excellent.

"Enter the goatlady"? Quite the offer for an online community :P I completely sympathise with your t-shirt problem though, god knows where my 6 new shirts will go :(

I've used Heros for two Odysseys now (would've been three if I didn't lose them before any festivals had even started :P ) and they haven't let me down when I needed 'em. Sometimes it's just too fuck'n loud to enjoy.
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: goatlady on July 24, 2009, 03:23:03 PM
"Enter the goatlady"? Quite the offer for an online community :P

ROFLMAO you're the first person to think it's some weird sexual reference (well that's mentioned it anyway). Bruce Lee, people!

I've used Heros for two Odysseys now (would've been three if I didn't lose them before any festivals had even started :P ) and they haven't let me down when I needed 'em. Sometimes it's just too fuck'n loud to enjoy.

I really like the Hearos muso ones. My dude has to use their "skull screws" because he's got big freaking ear canals or some shit and the regular ones don't do the trick. You know what they say about guys with big ears *wink wink nudge nudge*
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: Mago_Haydz on July 24, 2009, 03:58:25 PM
You know what they say about guys with big ears *wink wink nudge nudge*


yeah...

(http://www.sustainabilityninja.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/prince_charles.jpg)

she likes em...
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: goat on July 24, 2009, 04:49:24 PM
he's a "wingnut", uh, now thats a mental pic i wished didnt just happen.

hey Mago, those ear plugs work good yeah?
How about for vocal type apps, are they better than just normal ones?
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: Mago_Haydz on July 24, 2009, 04:55:40 PM
he's a "wingnut", uh, now thats a mental pic i wished didnt just happen.

hey Mago, those ear plugs work good yeah?
How about for vocal type apps, are they better than just normal ones?

wouldnt have a clue man.... aside from working in a mine plant, or cutting steel in my shed or whatever, Ive never worn ear plugs.
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: goat on July 24, 2009, 05:15:06 PM
no worries, will give em a shot.
you work on site eh? me too, well mine sites all over, doing shuts mostly.
you a Boily?
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: Mago_Haydz on July 24, 2009, 06:12:07 PM
no worries, will give em a shot.
you work on site eh? me too, well mine sites all over, doing shuts mostly.
you a Boily?

nah havent worked at a mine for 11 years. I'm a building estimator/scheduler... I just like to tinker in my shed like any good bloke should. I still have a box of industrial ear plugs in my shed, courtesy of the mine site I last worked at  :laugh:
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: goat on July 24, 2009, 06:35:15 PM
no worries, will give em a shot.
you work on site eh? me too, well mine sites all over, doing shuts mostly.
you a Boily?

nah havent worked at a mine for 11 years. I'm a building estimator/scheduler... I just like to tinker in my shed like any good bloke should. I still have a box of industrial ear plugs in my shed, courtesy of the mine site I last worked at  :laugh:

oh fuck yeah i always stock up on plugs n "stuff". and yeah the tinkering in the shed is a must. its amazing the shit you can make without having to go fork out coin for it. and youve still got it years later, instead of it fucking up in 2 weeks.
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: Damo on July 25, 2009, 01:09:48 AM
Can anyone confirm this story? I call BS, personally.

Also, tinitus, although uncurable, CAN be treated and any doctor would have told him this.
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: ironguardian on July 25, 2009, 11:41:44 AM
Can anyone confirm this story? I call BS, personally.

Also, tinitus, although uncurable, CAN be treated and any doctor would have told him this.

I was thinking about this tonight, yes, hearing can be badly destroyed and it can hurt a lot, but it's nothing to kill yourself over.

A cochlea implant may have been one solution. Having his hearing surgically destroyed, would have been another. If hearing was painful, then sever the nerves to the ear. Plenty of people get on with their lives without their hearing, without having to kill themselves over it.

If this guy knocked himself off for real, he must have had some other problems compounding it...
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: faeces on July 25, 2009, 07:01:35 PM
Can anyone confirm this story? I call BS, personally.

Also, tinitus, although uncurable, CAN be treated and any doctor would have told him this.

I was thinking about this tonight, yes, hearing can be badly destroyed and it can hurt a lot, but it's nothing to kill yourself over.

A cochlea implant may have been one solution. Having his hearing surgically destroyed, would have been another. If hearing was painful, then sever the nerves to the ear. Plenty of people get on with their lives without their hearing, without having to kill themselves over it.

If this guy knocked himself off for real, he must have had some other problems compounding it...

Yeah but it's no small deal to re-accustom yourself to life without hearing. Maybe the guy thought he couldn't go thru with it.
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: Ingasm on July 25, 2009, 08:41:07 PM
I'm sure his family are relieved that he didn't have to go all that trouble
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: goatlady on July 25, 2009, 10:54:29 PM
Yeah but it's no small deal to re-accustom yourself to life without hearing. Maybe the guy thought he couldn't go thru with it.

I don't think I would want to live without music. I could handle not being able to see or not being able to smell...

It's not a huge stretch to imagine someone pushed to breaking point with tinnitus, and as a result not thinking clearly or not being able to examine all the options available to them. I remember how bad it was with my partner when he first got it. I don't think he slept properly for about two years and couldn't stand being in a silent room. That kind of thing will fuck with your mental state.
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: Catalyst on July 27, 2009, 04:20:04 AM
I knew a guy who suffered tinnitus so bad it ruined his whole life, so I can believe it.
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: Damo on July 27, 2009, 07:02:11 AM
The typical treatment for tinnitus is to hypnotize your brain so it essentially 'ignores' the chunk in the frequency spectrum that is causing the problem. Yes, you lose a part of your hearing for good, but better than nothing!

Surgery is another option, but most of the time this is an absolute last resort.
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: Teeman on July 27, 2009, 02:31:10 PM
Or you could just wear ear plugs. Not sure about the rest of you, but I can certainly feel the pressure in my ears when it's getting too loud, and'll make my ears ring the next day. About that time is when you bung them in, or earlier.
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: whammy on July 27, 2009, 09:10:59 PM
sure bs, but funny if it were so...
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: goat on July 27, 2009, 09:34:29 PM
my initial thought was frogshit also, there really are options as mentioned.
you can get tinnitus from abusing codine meds also, my drummer has it so bad its starting to effect his ability to really hear what's going on during a song. His is from codine and other meds he thinks.

i have it a little bit also, ya just gotta be careful, you wont know youre or gettting it till one day youre like, fuck i think i have fuckin tinnitus! that not very fuckin cricket now is it?

its that simple.
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: Evil_-_Butterfly on July 28, 2009, 08:36:38 PM
If it is true... I think the point here is that he's a metalhead.... and going by the passion most metalheads have for metal (funny that)... it'd be a miserable life without being able to hear.. wait for it.. metal!
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: whammy on July 28, 2009, 10:46:52 PM
yeah to be metal u must look a bit gay sometimes...the only price to pay
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: Archangel on July 30, 2009, 09:19:09 PM
Yeah fuck that.  I can believe it too.  I'm going the way of the Nick. There is a fair few forums on this shit.. but who's tried what and what was the best for maintaining sound quality?
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: goat on July 31, 2009, 05:08:06 AM
Yeah fuck that.  I can believe it too.  I'm going the way of the Nick. There is a fair few forums on this shit.. but who's tried what and what was the best for maintaining sound quality?

there are a couple of different plugs out there, you can pay up to $400 for em, aparently you lose next to zero quality.
I wanted to get some but im not sure i wanna just take their word for them working, you cant exactly ask for a refund after using them can ya?
ive used plugs that claim the same thing and they suck basicly.
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: Archangel on August 01, 2009, 07:14:07 PM
Yeah, i've never rated wearing them... but its reasonably foreseeable that significant damage has/is occuring.

Wish i had some for last night...
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: cdtBEAST on August 03, 2009, 08:30:47 AM
Part of my tax return this year is going into custom moulded earplugs. Normal plugs inflame my ears. I still wear em tho, it beats hte alternative of losing my hearing.
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: whammy on August 03, 2009, 03:14:25 PM
hahaha thats what you call planning a budget - fiscal discipline
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: cdtBEAST on August 04, 2009, 06:02:53 PM
Haha I suck @ budgeting, hence having to wait for my tax return to afford these.
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: whammy on August 04, 2009, 07:09:38 PM
yeah, fuck...Im going to request a bail out, if I havent saved enough...
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: Dementor on August 05, 2009, 02:34:24 AM
Yeah but it's no small deal to re-accustom yourself to life without hearing. Maybe the guy thought he couldn't go thru with it.

I don't think I would want to live without music. I could handle not being able to see or not being able to smell...

It's not a huge stretch to imagine someone pushed to breaking point with tinnitus, and as a result not thinking clearly or not being able to examine all the options available to them. I remember how bad it was with my partner when he first got it. I don't think he slept properly for about two years and couldn't stand being in a silent room. That kind of thing will fuck with your mental state.
Are you serious? you'd rather live in the dark? not be able to see anything? but you can sit down and listen to music  :P
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: Mago_Haydz on August 08, 2009, 03:45:56 PM
Yeah but it's no small deal to re-accustom yourself to life without hearing. Maybe the guy thought he couldn't go thru with it.

I don't think I would want to live without music. I could handle not being able to see or not being able to smell...

It's not a huge stretch to imagine someone pushed to breaking point with tinnitus, and as a result not thinking clearly or not being able to examine all the options available to them. I remember how bad it was with my partner when he first got it. I don't think he slept properly for about two years and couldn't stand being in a silent room. That kind of thing will fuck with your mental state.
Are you serious? you'd rather live in the dark? not be able to see anything? but you can sit down and listen to music  :P

yeah, I think I'd rather be able to WATCH my kids grow up and see where Im going and still be able to drive and all that as opposed to not being able to hear my kids fighting, screaming, throwing tantrums, whinging etc, given the choice of the 2.
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: whammy on August 09, 2009, 10:47:03 PM
being blind is far worse
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: nihilist on August 10, 2009, 06:20:58 AM
Pretty sure being dead is worse than being blind or deaf.
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: TnT on August 10, 2009, 06:36:11 AM
What if they are blind and deaf
... and a limbless torso
... stored in a box in your crawlspace
?
 :P
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: nihilist on August 10, 2009, 09:34:15 AM
Then they're my bride to be.
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: Ingasm on August 10, 2009, 03:55:23 PM
Then they're my bride to be.

50 bucks says she'd still find a way to run away from the altar
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: nihilist on August 10, 2009, 05:43:26 PM
You're on!

Brb, hacking off some poor girls limbs.
Title: Re: Metalhead kills self becauase of tinnitus
Post by: whammy on August 10, 2009, 05:51:12 PM
 :rofl:  what a string of posts