Beep in my ear (Tinnitus) - Model S

[Bibi]

I am driving a model S since December 2018. Since mid-January this year, so one month later, I developed tinnitus, a high beep in my left ear. Every time I drive the Tesla, which I don’t do so often anymore, after a few hours the beep gets a lot louder for a couple of days. I think I will have to get rid of the Tesla and turn back to diesel or petrol, what I don’t like, also because I have installed many solar panels on the roof of our house, to feed the Tesla.

Do you know of other people suffering from tinnitus caused by, or enforced by driving a Tesla?

Ans does anyone know what to change to the car in order to minimize the effect?

 

[whitex]

Try driving in chill mode and take it easy?

Btw, it is also likely that the ringing in the ears developed due to completely independent factors, like the number of birthdays you had?

 

[cgiGuy]

I've never heard of a Model S causing tinnitus, but I know that sometimes the back hatch can be adjusted wrong and give a "negative air pressure" kind of low bass feeling when hitting bumps. Whether this could cause you to develop tinnitus--no idea. I'd say the stereo has a better chance. But might be worth having Tesla take a look before you sell it.

 

[murphyS90D]

I have had tinnitus for over 30 years. It started suddenly while I was driving and has never gone away. Driving my Tesla has not changed it in any way. It is believed that Tinnitus is a brain problem, not an ear problem.

 

[Duke-U]

Same as @murphyS90D I have Tinnitus for a long time. Driving a very silent car emphasizes the beep, especially when I am tired. Try turning on music while driving.

 

[Rogue Synapse]

I would conjecture that you always have tinnitus that is almost imperceptible except in very quiet settings. It can fluctuate in severity at times, independent of what you are doing. There is nothing about an electric car which would cause tinnitus. The two major causes are excess loud noise (explosions, loud concerts, firearms, etc) and structural causes such as injury or ear infection.

Sources:
1. I am a neurologist
2. I have tinnitus from concertgoing in younger years

 

[zanary]

I have no idea what Tinnitus, so I had to look it up on Google.

Tinnitus is the perception of noise or ringing in the ears. A common problem, tinnitus affects about 15 to 20 percent of people. Tinnitus isn't a condition itself — it's a symptom of an underlying condition, such as age-related hearing loss, ear injury or a circulatory system disorder (and not associated with Tesla ownership) - OK, I threw in that last piece in there...
​

I think you should keep your Tesla, and play some Soulja Boy or Migos at a modest volume, and maybe you won't even notice Tinnitus

 

[D.E.]

There is no mechanism for your car to cause tinnitus. As our neurologist above says, it’s something else. Even aspirin can cause it.

Just because something occurs at the same time doesn’t necessarily imply a cause and effect relationship. It seems that way but there has to be a mechanism in place for something to cause an effect, and that mechanism is missing here. Here outside the possibility you play the stereo at deafening levels or drive at high speed with the window open, there’s no possible mechanism. Once you have assumed one thing causes the other, you’ll assume the connection whether or not it exists. You’ll also seek out people that agree with you. That’s human nature. You’ll find them, too, some will tell you it’s the electricity. It isn’t.

You have an inappropriate signal from the inner ear, probably reflecting noise damage, but there can be other causes. Something is causing it but it isn’t your car.

If there was a mechanism for the car to cause tinnitus, there’d be a bunch of us with it associated with driving. A lot of us have it but the car isn’t a factor. Tinnitus is common, especially as we age. It varies. Sometimes it’s louder than others.

The only difference between your car and a conventional car is the battery and the power running through the wires. The only possible way someone might think it affects you would be electromagnetically. You just don’t have magnetic receptors in your brain or your ears. And the car doesn’t produce enough to be a worry anyway. You use alternating current in in your house. That use produces far more in the way of electric fields than your car does.

I’m sure you are skeptical. You’re already convinced. See an ENT specialist.

It’ll be a crying shame if you sell the Tesla based on this.

Gotta go. I hear a teapot.

 

[Chaserr]

Isn't tinnitus hearing damage from loud sounds? You might hear it more easily in the quieter car but driving a louder car won't cure you.

 

[D.E.]

Isn't tinnitus hearing damage from loud sounds? You might hear it more easily in the quieter car but driving a louder car won't cure you.

Tinnitus is ringing in the ears from any cause. Hearing damage is most common but there are numerous other possible causes.

 

[thanhuey]

Thanks for sharing your story. I noticed a similar symptoms the last few days. Exactly 10 days. The symptom is like when you're on airplane and the airplane is descending you feel a little bit of presure on your ears, deaf or stuffing in the ears. First I didnt think the cause is from Tesla but after few days I noticed that symptom only getting worse when I'm driving my 2014 Models S 85. So, I did little study by not driving Tesla for few days the deaf or lost of my hearing gone. I drove my BMW Z4 for a week to see if the hearing lost occur and it did not. I am not still unsure the cause but it looks like the cause is from my Model S. My model S just got new motor replacement, not sure if the new motor causing some sort of low frequency that could potentially damage ears. I hope it is not but if it is, it could be trouble for many Tesla owners and Tesla itself. I really need help. I took my Tesla to services center and they rejecting the cause and do nothing but if I do nothing it could damage my ears permanently. Should I sell my Tesla? Tesla need to pay attention to this issue.
Sorry, my English isn't good but I just want to share my story.

I am driving a model S since December 2018. Since mid-January this year, so one month later, I developed tinnitus, a high beep in my left ear. Every time I drive the Tesla, which I don’t do so often anymore, after a few hours the beep gets a lot louder for a couple of days. I think I will have to get rid of the Tesla and turn back to diesel or petrol, what I don’t like, also because I have installed many solar panels on the roof of our house, to feed the Tesla.

Do you know of other people suffering from tinnitus caused by, or enforced by driving a Tesla?

Ans does anyone know what to change to the car in order to minimize the effect?

 

[murphyS90D]

If you are feeling pressure changes in your ears have the trunk lid adjusted. It's not sealing properly which causes pressure changes in the car.

I have had tinnitus for over 30 years and my Tesla has not affected it at all. It is believed that tinnitus is a brain problem, not an ear problem. I have never heard of Tinnitus in only one ear. Mine is in both ears.

 

[thanhuey]

Actually, in my case it's not tinnitus but I feel my ears stuffing or blocking and it only occurs when I am driving my Tesla. Only my left ear. It normally goes away few hours after stop driving my Tesla. It gets worse that I start worrying. I went to see doctor and they dont see anything suspicious. They gave me some nasal decongestion medecine which didnt help then about a week and half ago I start paying attention and noticing the symptom.

 

[Kandiru]

I am driving a model S since December 2018. Since mid-January this year, so one month later, I developed tinnitus, a high beep in my left ear. Every time I drive the Tesla, which I don’t do so often anymore, after a few hours the beep gets a lot louder for a couple of days. I think I will have to get rid of the Tesla and turn back to diesel or petrol, what I don’t like, also because I have installed many solar panels on the roof of our house, to feed the Tesla.

Do you know of other people suffering from tinnitus caused by, or enforced by driving a Tesla?

Ans does anyone know what to change to the car in order to minimize the effect?

I can relieve you of your 2018 MS, actually we can swap for my 2015. Where do you want to meet?

 

[murphyS90D]

Actually, in my case it's not tinnitus but I feel my ears stuffing or blocking and it only occurs when I am driving my Tesla. Only my left ear. It normally goes away few hours after stop driving my Tesla. It gets worse that I start worrying. I went to see doctor and they dont see anything suspicious. They gave me some nasal decongestion medecine which didnt help then about a week and half ago I start paying attention and noticing the symptom.

Did you read post 12? Get your trunk adjusted.

 

[Xenoilphobe]

My wife solved the problem. She talks constantly and forces me to turn on the Stereo, which solves my tinnitus.

Seriously adjust the trunk lid and it will stop and for you young guys wear hearing protection especially if you are in the military!

 

[thanhuey]

Thanks. Will try that.

 

[Wol747]

I would conjecture that you always have tinnitus that is almost imperceptible except in very quiet settings. It can fluctuate in severity at times, independent of what you are doing. There is nothing about an electric car which would cause tinnitus. The two major causes are excess loud noise (explosions, loud concerts, firearms, etc) and structural causes such as injury or ear infection.

Sources:
1. I am a neurologist
2. I have tinnitus from concertgoing in younger years

There's some evidence that aspirin is ototoxic, too. I take 80mg a day and my longstanding tinnitus has got worse over the last few years.

 

[r1200gs4ok]

I've got it...Flew military jets for many years and rode / ride motorcycles( BMW only) for over 30 years.....did not use ear plus on the bike which was probably an issue....My flight helmet was ok, but should have used them.....Now I am ringing all day and night, but conversation and low music seems to make it less noticeable....I understand it can really be annoying but nothing to do about it except try to block it out.....enjoy you car and ride safe

 

[David.85D]

Actually, in my case it's not tinnitus but I feel my ears stuffing or blocking and it only occurs when I am driving my Tesla. Only my left ear. It normally goes away few hours after stop driving my Tesla. It gets worse that I start worrying. I went to see doctor and they dont see anything suspicious. They gave me some nasal decongestion medecine which didnt help then about a week and half ago I start paying attention and noticing the symptom.

this sounds more like pressure buffeting. There are some long threads. I’m not sure it’s a great solution, but one poster made it go away by tightly packing the area between the cargo cover and rear hatch with pillows and blankets. Useful as a test. No rear visibility except the rear camera.