Confused: I Realized I Could Not Tolerate the Noise of the Hair Dryers from Other Seats

[shan]

Hi all

Not sure if any one of you have had any similar experience.

I have T and mild H, of which the latter increased because of recent spikes in T.

When I go to the hair salon, I normally just need to plug the ear plugs when my stylist is going to use the hair dryer. However, during my recent visit, I realized I could not tolerate the noise of the hair dryers from other seats, which are a distance away from me. It still sounded loud and irritating to my ears even with ear plugs in. The sound metre on my phone hovered around 70 db and I actually found the sound of the dryer on me more tolerable. It just does not make sense to me. I ended up wearing ear plugs through out my time there, which distressed me. After my recent spikes, I noticed certain noises like music in the gym, busy traffic still sounded loud even with ear plugs in. This has never been the case prior.

I wonder if this is just due to H, which I hope will abate eventually, or my anxiety of exacerbating my T?

 

[Karen]

Hi, Shan,

I suspect it is due to the hyperacusis. When I go to a hair salon, I don't have the problem you describe. Also, as you mentioned, anxiety could be exacerbating both the T and H. It's hard to say.

At any rate, the good news is that the hyperacusis should fade over time. How long have you been experiencing the H?

 

[Per]

Be careful not to wear plugs all the time in normal environmental noise cause that can promote H.

 

[shan]

Hi, Shan,

I suspect it is due to the hyperacusis. When I go to a hair salon, I don't have the problem you describe. Also, as you mentioned, anxiety could be exacerbating both the T and H. It's hard to say.

At any rate, the good news is that the hyperacusis should fade over time. How long have you been experiencing the H?

Hi Karen, I have had it for a few years and it tends to worsen when there's a spike. This episode is worst than my previous experience. It used to get better over time, which I hope it will be the same this time round.

I am seeing a ENT next week to check out what the hospital's tinnitus programme can offer.

 

[Karen]

Shan,

I'm glad you're going to see an ENT doctor next week, and hope that your spike begins to subside soon. Please do update me on how you're doing!

 

[SueR]

Karen, by your comment (#2) it sounds like you are saying we should expect H to no longer be an issue, after time. But, there are people who have it for many, many years (= still have it after years).

I consider myself new to H (Nov. '13), so I really don't know. When asked, people who have H have said to me that it cannot be known if this will go away or I have to deal with it for the rest of my life.

I know I don't want to be given false hope. To me, there's a big difference between "might" and "should".