Roger (Breag Naofa – guitar)
SPB: Do any of your musician friends have tinnitus?
Roger: I can’t speak on behalf of my fellow musicians, but I myself have it. Although it might be a mild enough form that it’s not maddening like other folks describe it. It’s a constant ringing in my ear I’ve had for a few decades now. I have been a musician since my early teens and playing heavy music for most of it. I did start wearing ear plugs earlier than my musician counterparts, but noticed in quiet situations I hear a constant high pitch ringing. Typically in bed, but can also detect it when I have ear plugs in. I recently started meditating for my own goddamn sanity, and funny enough the quiet reflection brings about having to acknowledge the ringing in my ear. I take note of it, but let it pass. Good news is, we’re so bombarded by noise on a daily basis, I never really notice it most of the time, and the times it’s quiet, I’m either too tired (too used to it?) that it doesn’t bother me and meditation has taught me to take note of it and then basically keep on concentrating.
In old age, I plan on using it as an excuse to not hear peoples boring stories or criticism of my old cynical ways.
