Does protection mean no sound all? Because I'm learning that I dealt with my tinnitus and anxiety with music and tv shows. Till I had to be in silence I hadnt noticed or been bothered by my tinnitus before. And now I'm just an anxiety ridden mess who can't even stand the sound of my boyfriends breathing without wanting to rip my hair out.
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This is so true unfortunately I developed phonophobia without knowing. I gotta get out of the mindset now that every little sound isn't going to harm me
Problem is idek what will and will not hurt me. All sounds are loud rn. My left ear is in constant mild pain. I have no idea what I'm doing or what will help.
Protection (for now) means whatever your ears find uncomfortable or painful.
The sound of your BF's breathing causing you discomfort would be an extreme case of hyperacusis, or more likely, phonophobia/misophonia (which can all be hard to tell apart when you first start suffering them).
The sound of your BF's breathing causing you discomfort would be an extreme case of hyperacusis, or more likely, phonophobia/misophonia (which can all be hard to tell apart when you first start suffering them).
Should I sleep with ear plugs in then? I'm sorry I don't mean to ask so many questions, I'm in scared to make the wrong move
Like everything, you have to apply some common sense here. The sound of breathing is in the same vein as a whisper, and isn't going to be causing any damage.
I'd say, for now, isolate if need be, to give your ears rest, and surround yourself only with sounds causing you no discomfort.
Once an adequate amount of time has passed (couple of weeks to a month) start exposing yourself to LOW sounds that might be irritating but that you know couldn't possibly do any harm (like the breathing and low TV etc.).
Once an adequate amount of time has passed (couple of weeks to a month) start exposing yourself to LOW sounds that might be irritating but that you know couldn't possibly do any harm (like the breathing and low TV etc.).
BUT please keep in mind, I am not recommending deciding what is and isn't a harmful sound at your own discretion.
Simply suggesting you expose yourself to sounds that have a very Very VERY plainly obvious inability to harm the human ear, somewhere down the line.
Simply suggesting you expose yourself to sounds that have a very Very VERY plainly obvious inability to harm the human ear, somewhere down the line.
I don't like the sleeping with earplugs in thing. But some people don't seem to mind it.
Personally I think it would be better if you could sleep in a separate room from your partner, in silence, and no earplugs in.
Personally I think it would be better if you could sleep in a separate room from your partner, in silence, and no earplugs in.
I live in a one bedroom apartment, right next to the expressway, with my partner, three cats, above my half deaf landlord who has two barking dogs. I feel like no where is safe for me.
Also with hyperacusis, is it some sounds that are to loud or all sounds? Because for me all sounds sound louder then they should. I can hear everything. Just not sure if it actually bothers me or just startles me.
That's a conundrum (your living situation).
I suppose the situation leaves you two options. Either:
a) Move out and find somewhere quiet you can stay temporarily until things improve.
or b) Use protection (ear defenders and earplugs) a lot over the next couple of weeks. Then slowly start using them less frequently around sounds that you know are safe
I suppose the situation leaves you two options. Either:
a) Move out and find somewhere quiet you can stay temporarily until things improve.
or b) Use protection (ear defenders and earplugs) a lot over the next couple of weeks. Then slowly start using them less frequently around sounds that you know are safe
Regarding hyperacusis, a lot about it is still unknown, and what is known is largely theoretical.
My take is that if it's hurting your ears, then it's best avoided. I see hyperacusis as a warning system for my ears, reminding me I don't have the sound tolerance of a normal person.
My take is that if it's hurting your ears, then it's best avoided. I see hyperacusis as a warning system for my ears, reminding me I don't have the sound tolerance of a normal person.
Still, hyperacusis can and does improve with progressive sound exposure once a person has stabilised from the initial trauma, it seems.
So it won't always be like this for you.
So it won't always be like this for you.
What kind of ear plugs and protectors would you recommend? Cause rn I'm using foam ear plugs because that's all I have atm