I want to buy headphones - not sure which ones though

[wolf63]

I want to buy myself a set of headphones and would like some advice before looking around myself.

I want the big ear muff types and not the in-ear ones type that I have for my ipod.

Cordless would be preferable - with a thingy that will plug into a something like my laptop.

I would like earphones that will cut off as much external noise as possible.

I have tinnitus - if that makes any difference.

I do not want to pay out much money

Anyone help?

[Philtaz]

http://www.play.com/E...0/2447/3-/Refine.html

[wolf63]

Thanks for the link - will have a look when my brain wakes up.

[gingejbee]

My advice is to "try before you buy" - it's too easy to get the wrong headphones if you don't try them first; too small, too big, too loose, too tight - it's too easy to get them wrong. If you have a Richer Sounds shop handy, that's a good place to start- you can try them on and listen to them - and they are good at exchanging unsuitable items. I agree that Sennheiser is a good brand to go for.

[Pimpernel]

Hello,

I have hyperacousia (i.e. hearing threshold below 10dB and even sometimes 5dB for the speaking range) and I have been using Sennheiser's noice reduction headphones for nearly 10 years now. They're very expensive but they're also very heavy duty: they usually last about 5 years, and I use them nearly everyday and I also travel with them at least once a month (plane, train...). The way I see it, I spend about £20-£30 a year on each pair of headphones, so although it is a big purchase, it is only a good investment.

Have you seen a mouth-ear-throat doctor about your tinnitus? I had it once: it was after a night when my neighbours had had a party, with the hi-fi at full volume, until 4am.
I managed to get an appointment with my doctor in the same morning (he keeps a slot available for emergencies). He checked that the stapedius reflex was still working, did a hearing test (under 5dB nearly all the way through as I was so high strung), and reassured me my ears were fine and it was just my brain (central nervous system) which was creating the noise, because I had become so stressed (I was 2 days away from moving abroad to start a new job and the least thing I wanted was a health worry!) and my auditory centers had been overstimulated during the night. He gave me a 'placebo' prescription of magnesium tablets and hawthorn tablets, and when I woke up the next morning, the tinnitus was gone!
I know it can become long-term though and I hope yours will get better or go away.

Regards.

[wolf63]

Pimpernel - I will put the headphones that you suggest on my birthday wish list with the others. ;-)

I have never been to see anyone about the Tinnitus - my GP just sort of shrugged his shoulders when I asked him about a cure.

I am on quite a bit of medication and this may/may not be a major factor in the annoying ringing. I can understand some people being upset by it - but it doesn't really bother me too much.