Do I Have Hyperacusis?

[Adriel93]

For the past few days my ears feel full and my tinnitus got a bit louder, but I also noticed that when my ears have been sensitive to certain noises like my siblings yelling at home or when I hear people washing dishes. Can this be the beginning on Hyperacusis?

I forgot to mention my ears don't bother me when I'm in noisy places. Just when I'm in a quite place and I hear a loud noise out of nowhere

 

[dpdx]

Yes that is Hyperacusis.

 

[Adriel93]

Will it go away once my ears gets unclogged

 

[dpdx]

Will it go away once my ears gets unclogged

Hyperacusis usually goes away, you have to use a sound machine (sound oasis) when you sleep. Read @Michael Leigh article's on Tinnitus and Hyperacusis. Please dont do any ear tests and leave your ears alone for some time.

 

[Adriel93]

I actually have an appointment with my ent on Thursday. They giving me an audio test. Should I not go?

 

[Michael Leigh]

I actually have an appointment with my ent on Thursday. They giving me an audio test. Should I not go?

Yes, I think it's okay for you to go to the ENT appointment. Please click on the links below and read my posts on Hyperacusis and tinnitus, that you might find helpful.

All the best
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

 

[dbth]

Of course @Michael Leigh would recommend someone with Hyperacusis go for an audio exam despite evidence as shared by Hyperacusis Research, an organization actually working to CURE hyperacusis, that hearing tests performed by Audiologists can cause more harm and may even permanently worsen the symptoms of tinnitus and hyperacusis. But if that should happen he can just do TRT right? Not to mention knowing ENTs can't do anything for either symptom just wasting people's time and money and have even been known to treat sufferers so terribly they leave the appointment in far worse distress. You have got to be the worst ambassador on this forum.

 

[dbth]

@Adriel93 if you wish to have your ears checked by an ENT for any possible underlying issue that could be causing the fullness such as an infection that is fine, they should be able to find out with a simple look inside. I would not recommend you allow them to perform any audio testing especially if you feel your ability to hear is fine and aren't in need of a hearing aid as that is what the test is mainly used for, the headphones used in testing can cause more harm if you are experiencing hyperacusis, and avoid any MRI as they are notoriously loud. The best course of action is to do you your best to stay calm. There's a good chance it will fade within 6-18 months especially if it wasn't caused by a loud noise exposure. Just take good care of your ears, avoid loud noises and hope for the best. There are many helpful caring people on this forum you can reach out to and science is working on both tinnitus and hyperacusis there is a lot of research going on with promising results. All the best, stay strong. - DB

 

[Adriel93]

@dbth to be honest it doesn't really bother me that much. When I woke this morning my house was quite and my mom was crying and yelling and my ears started bugging me. Now that I'm at work my ears are fine. I've been talking to people and listening to music and nothing seems to bother me. I just freaked out in the morning but it could still be possible that I have mild Hyperacusis. I'm confused now on what to do at the ent lol

 

[Michael Leigh]

@Adriel93

Hi Adriel93,

Many years ago when I first got tinnitus due to noise exposure I also had very severe hyperacusis. It was recommended to me by my ENT consultant to have a hearing test and MRI scan which I had. These tests didn't make my conditions worse. It is your choice whatever you decide to do. If I were in your situation then I would follow the advice of my ENT doctor on whether to have the hearing test and MRI scan or not.

Best of luck
Michael

 

[dbth]

@Adriel93 I'm the same way I've noticed mine bothers me more in quiet environments with sudden loud noises, it seems the more background noise going on the less it gets me. ENTs really can't do much for Tinnitus or Hyperacusis, a quick look around here you won't see many members talking about it being a positive or worthwhile experience. But if you suspect an infection or something they can certainly help with that. It wouldn't hurt to have them take a look just to be sure, just don't let them put headphones on you or throw you in an MRI lol.

 

[Adriel93]

@dbth @Michael Leigh i appreciate the both of you for trying to look out for me! My throat has also been aching and I've been sneezing a lot, so hopefully sensitivity goes away after my cold clears up.

@dbth has your H got worse or is it still the same?

 

[lapidus]

I forgot to mention my ears don't bother me when I'm in noisy places. Just when I'm in a quite place and I hear a loud noise out of nowhere

It's odd that you can be in noisy places without it bothering you if you have H though. I'm not sure what to make of it but there could of course be a problem with the tensor tympani or the stapes. These tend to react much more to sounds, even low ones when it's quiet all around then if there's some background noise. At least for me.

 

[dbth]

@Adriel93 I got mine two years ago, was hit with tinnitus and hyperacusis at the same time, too many concerts and headphone use. At first the hyperacusis was mild, mostly dishes in the sink were my arch nemesis lol. I did get a hearing test done and an MRI and it wasn't fun, luckily didn't notice any major change except for a volume increase in my tinnitus for awhile but it calmed down. But it was ultimately a pointless risk as I didn't need hearing aids and didn't find anything in my brain scans. Was exposed to a fire alarm about a year ago and noticed my symptoms worsened a bit. Since then it has calmed back down as well. I have good days and bad days. Loud noise is my enemy and I'm really careful now, sometimes it catches me off guard not much I can do about it. But being mine is noise induced my case is a bit different. I wouldn't worry too much. Everyday noise won't make it worse, loud noise is bad for everyone just worse for us that's all. Don't throw any rock concerts or firework shows and you should be fine lol. There's no one cause for any of this crap sundae but one thing is for sure loud noise is a major offender. One thing I can say most likely will go away is the fullness. Had it really bad at the beginning but it's gone now and most report the same. Likely linked to to the muscles in your ears, they should eventually relax.

 

[Adriel93]

@dbth yeah I def won't be attending any concerts or firework shows anytime soon lol but my ENT told me that my Tinnitus was caused by allergies, and that by treating my allergies with shots, my T will get better with time. I've been on the shot since may but I still haven't noticed difference. If anything I feel like a got a little bit worse.

 

[dbth]

There goes @Michael Leigh again ignoring the evidence and recommending unnecessary bs that doesn't help or may even make things worse. I'm sure being that you don't keep up with current research and findings as you spend every waking moment on this site spewing your dogma, that you haven't heard of Cindy's story. Whom acquired hyperacusis via an air horn. Not only were the doctors unhelpful, they put her on your beloved TRT and it gave her tinnitus as well. But no! That's just preposterous! Be sure to read her story in full and not skim through it.

http://people.com/human-interest/14-year-old-girl-blasted-air-horn-speaks-out/

"Cindy made the rounds of doctors, who were unhelpful. Pain medication had little effect. She tried a sound therapy that employs mild broadband noise but it made her worse and sparked tinnitus, or ringing in the ears."

http://hyperacusisresearch.org/cure4cindy/

 

[dbth]

@Adriel93 most of the time it's all speculation, what caused it, what may help it. Could very well have been allergies or a myriad of other possibilities. I watched a Ted Talk seminar about how some researchers have found it may simply be caused by our brain chemicals being out of whack. There's just not enough known about it by medical practitioners such as ENTs to have the answers. They're basically surgeons. I and most others on here don't see them as reliable when it comes to tinnitus, except for when it's caused by noise or hearing loss, but only to confirm it's a likely cause, then they really don't know either. Science is finding its more of a brain thing.

 

[VRZ78]

I actually have an appointment with my ent on Thursday. They giving me an audio test. Should I not go?

If the test that the ENT wants to give you is an audiogram then you can definitely do it, it won't cause any harm.

 

[Adriel93]

@VRZ78 yeah it looks like I'm going to do it. Thank you

 

[Yashin]

Many years ago when I first got tinnitus due to noise exposure I also had very severe hyperacusis.

Michael, what were your physical symptoms? Fullness in the ear, pain, thumps…?

 

[Michael Leigh]

Michael, what were your physical symptoms? Fullness in the ear, pain, thumps…?

The whole of my head was completely numb for around 8 months. Everything that I heard, sounded like I was listening under whater. I had fullness in both ears and acute pain. When people spoke to me I had to ask them to lower their voice as my ears hurt so much.

Michael

 

[Luman]

There goes ...........Cindy's story. Whom acquired hyperacusis via an air horn. Not only were the doctors unhelpful, they put her on your beloved TRT and it gave her tinnitus as well. But no! That's just preposterous! Be sure to read her story in full and not skim through it. ;)

[URL]http://people.com/human-interest/14-year-old-girl-blasted-air-horn-speaks-out/[/URL]

"Cindy made the rounds of doctors, who were unhelpful. Pain medication had little effect. She tried a sound therapy that employs mild broadband noise but it made her worse and sparked tinnitus, or ringing in the ears."

[URL]http://hyperacusisresearch.org/cure4cindy/[/URL]

I read the full story, at least I think I did. Where does it say that she was in TRT, or that they caused her to get tinnitus on top of hyperacusis?

 

[dpdx]

sound enrichment my friend, do not sleep in the quiet room, H can sometimes be permanent but that is unlikely.

 

[dbth]

@Luman beneath the photo of her pushing her sister on the swings.

"One recent day, when Cindy attempted a visit with friends, one girl squealed.

"Cindy started sobbing from the pain," Laurie says. "Her friends insisted she was faking her injury, or her face would have turned more red."

With no blood and no bandage, there is no sympathy either, says her mother. "I hear these stories over and over. She cries herself to sleep. My heart breaks for her."

Cindy made the rounds of doctors, who were unhelpful. Pain medication had little effect. She tried a sound therapy that employs mild broadband noise but it made her worse and sparked tinnitus, or ringing in the ears."

http://people.com/human-interest/14-year-old-girl-blasted-air-horn-speaks-out/

 

[Adriel93]

@dpdx what should I use to sleep with? Also do you have H?

 

[dpdx]

@dpdx what should I use to sleep with? Also do you have H?

yes i have H in both ears, had it since Jan 16

 

[Adriel93]

@dpdx has it gotten better for you? And do your ears feel tender and clogged??

 

[dpdx]

@dpdx has it gotten better for you? And do your ears feel tender and clogged??

it didnt get better, but it does feel clogged, when i talk it bothers me

 

[Luman]

@Luman beneath the photo of her pushing her sister on the swings.

"One recent day, when Cindy attempted a visit with friends, one girl squealed.

"Cindy started sobbing from the pain," Laurie says. "Her friends insisted she was faking her injury, or her face would have turned more red."

With no blood and no bandage, there is no sympathy either, says her mother. "I hear these stories over and over. She cries herself to sleep. My heart breaks for her."

Cindy made the rounds of doctors, who were unhelpful. Pain medication had little effect. She tried a sound therapy that employs mild broadband noise but it made her worse and sparked tinnitus, or ringing in the ears."

http://people.com/human-interest/14-year-old-girl-blasted-air-horn-speaks-out/

I feel very sorry for this young girl, but there is no evidence, at least none that I have seen, showing that she ever went for TRT. The article does not say how she came to use sound therapy, which caused further damage.

 

[dbth]

@Luman if the reports in the article aren't enough for you, although I'm not sure why it's not as it says very clearly she went to the doctor they employed sound therapy and it caused tinnitus, but alrighty then... here's some more for ya. This video by her mother describes the incident and the doctor who indeed put her on TRT and set her up with noise generators, claiming the tinnitus was caused because her generators weren't loud enough....



The fact remains she was wearing them for a few months while otherwise avoiding loud noise and then tinnitus set in. She has been using them consistently even after being stricken with tinnitus and has found no relief.

If the ear has been compromised and weakened I think it only makes sense that playing any sound at all from what is basically an earbud headphone directly in the ear constantly for hours every day is potentially dangerous.

Its clear you have a strong opinion on TRT and support it blindly so I am confident nothing would change your mind anyway. Regardless, It is slowly but surely becoming widely deemed useless, there is zero evidence that it works and reports like this show it may even be harmful in some cases. If it worked we wouldn't have to have researchers searching for a cure for tinnitus and hyperacusis. Believe what you want, I choose to follow reports and recommendations from researchers not misinformed doctors and members of forums.