It's Leaf again. I'm doing better, but I have another problem I don't know what to do about. My dad really wants to take me to see the Star Wars movie, but I'm afraid that the loudness of the theater might make my tinnitus worse. I'm ok now but if it got worse I don't know if I could handle it. I am even thinking of hurting myself or making myself sick so I won't have to go, I'm that afraid. If I just tell him I am afraid to go he will be upset with me and try and convince me to go anyway. -Leaf
And I know it’s really important to him so I feel really guilty about it. I just don’t want to take any chances because I don’t want to go back to feeling like I have to kill myself. -Leaf
Hi Leaf, sorry for the late response!
I’m glad to hear that you are doing better :)
I know you sent this message in a few days ago, so is there any update on the situation? Did you end up going to see the Star Wars movie, or did you talk to your dad about how you’re feeling? Please, whatever you do, don’t hurt yourself just so you won’t have to go. It’s not worth it. There are other less harmful ways to deal with this situation, so let’s brainstorm some ideas together!
What about telling your dad you don’t really like the movies and that you’d prefer to watch it at home when it comes out? Does your dad know about your tinnitus? Can you do some research and show him that movie theaters can make tinnitus worse, and explain to him that you really want to go but because of that you can’t? Maybe that way he will realize it isn’t personal.
What about wearing a pair of earphones: I read that that can help dull the noise but you’ll still be able to hear what is going on.
Here are some links I think can help you:
http://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/going-to-the-theatre-movies.1046/
http://www.icanlivewithmytinnitus.com/?p=131
http://tinnitussupport92262.yuku.com/topic/11868/The-cinema-and-tinnitus#.Von0t1J4wQ0