Does ‘Mild’ Hyperacusis Get Better?

[FrontRoomFanatic]

Hopefully this thread doesn't get shut down due to being a broad question but I haven't seen it asked in searching the site so I'm arguing that this is a specific question relating to 'mild' hyperacusis with discomfort.

My tinnitus & hyperacusis started June of last year. I've habituated to the tinnitus but the hyperacusis still gives me bother from time to time. But I feel that it has improved... At first my hearing was quite sensitive and things like tinny speakers or other poor quality artificial sound was problematic. Also things like cutlery and plates were problematic. I would say the sensation was physical but not pain in the more literal sense. It was very unpleasant and scratchy but not to the level of "wow this is really sore".

Jump to now and the cutlery and plates don't really cause problems any more. But the artificial sound from poor or small speakers still does. So I'd say I have mild hyperacusis, and I seem to have recovered a little in nearly 10 months now. How likely am I to get past this final issue of some poor quality artificial sounds? It's causing me issues with some aspects of my life at present.

 

[MrCrybaby]

Having issues from low fidelity speakers is VERY common for hyperacusis sufferers on this forum (including myself). Like all ear damage, hyperacusis is very individual and improves for some but not others.

 

[serendipity1996]

This describes my situation as well. Hyperacusis setback 2-3 months ago, am 90% back to pre-setback level and pain symptoms greatly diminished. Even just a few weeks ago I was having trouble with sensitivity to noises like my bathroom fan or finding cutlery unpleasant.

The only thing that is still kind of an issue is laptop speakers. I don't know what it is exactly but it just sounds quite abrasive and harsh. Not 'loud' per se but it triggers pain hyperacusis symptoms - fullness, stingy sensations. Pre-setback I had no issues with my phone/laptop speakers (unless they were turned up super high which amplifies the tinny sound) but I could listen to music through my speakers everyday for hours no problem. Hoping that this issue resolves soon... I'm like 90% there but worried I will forever remain sensitive to my laptop speakers. Guess I just have to give it more time...

Can totally relate to the 'scratchy' feeling.

 

[serendipity1996]

I also wonder whether this would be classed as 'distortion'? Have seen this brought up quite a lot on this forum as it typically seems to accompany spikes/setbacks. A lot of people say they get high-frequency tones overlaying certain sounds which I don't get but the issue with the laptop speakers seems like a form of distortion to me. It's not that it's loud but it's like certain frequencies are 'magnified' and provoke the hyperacusis.

 

[FrontRoomFanatic]

Having issues from low fidelity speakers is VERY common for hyperacusis sufferers on this forum (including myself). Like all ear damage, hyperacusis is very individual and improves for some but not others.

I'm hoping that I do improve again. I've accepted to the possibility of not. But the fact I've improved somewhat so far I'm keeping hope alive for further improvement. However I may seek out CBT for it to help me form a further positive mental attitude towards it as it would be with me for many years.

 

[FrontRoomFanatic]

This describes my situation as well. Hyperacusis setback 2-3 months ago, am 90% back to pre-setback level and pain symptoms greatly diminished. Even just a few weeks ago I was having trouble with sensitivity to noises like my bathroom fan or finding cutlery unpleasant.

The only thing that is still kind of an issue is laptop speakers. I don't know what it is exactly but it just sounds quite abrasive and harsh. Not 'loud' per se but it triggers pain hyperacusis symptoms - fullness, stingy sensations. Pre-setback I had no issues with my phone/laptop speakers (unless they were turned up super high which amplifies the tinny sound) but I could listen to music through my speakers everyday for hours no problem. Hoping that this issue resolves soon... I'm like 90% there but worried I will forever remain sensitive to my laptop speakers. Guess I just have to give it more time...

Can totally relate to the 'scratchy' feeling.

Are you able to 'cast' from your phone or laptop to some other speaker that is of a better quality? I've found that helpful from my phone. My tablet seems to have a better speaker on it. Not ideal but better than the phone.

Does your hyperacusis mean that you don't do as many of the social things that you used to? (Noisy bars etc.).

 

[Juan]

Hopefully this thread doesn't get shut down due to being a broad question but I haven't seen it asked in searching the site so I'm arguing that this is a specific question relating to 'mild' hyperacusis with discomfort.

My tinnitus & hyperacusis started June of last year. I've habituated to the tinnitus but the hyperacusis still gives me bother from time to time. But I feel that it has improved... At first my hearing was quite sensitive and things like tinny speakers or other poor quality artificial sound was problematic. Also things like cutlery and plates were problematic. I would say the sensation was physical but not pain in the more literal sense. It was very unpleasant and scratchy but not to the level of "wow this is really sore".

Jump to now and the cutlery and plates don't really cause problems any more. But the artificial sound from poor or small speakers still does. So I'd say I have mild hyperacusis, and I seem to have recovered a little in nearly 10 months now. How likely am I to get past this final issue of some poor quality artificial sounds? It's causing me issues with some aspects of my life at present.

The way you are looking at the problem is wrong, in my opinion. Hyperacusis fluctuates, it does not always improve or get worse consistently, in a linear way. It changes. So basically you have to look at what triggered it in the first place. If it is due to noise damage, noise-induced hearing loss, then you will have to be careful around loud sound for all your life, as this condition can get worse very fast, and suddenly, while any improvements are usually very slow.

 

[MrCrybaby]

I'm hoping that I do improve again. I've accepted to the possibility of not. But the fact I've improved somewhat so far I'm keeping hope alive for further improvement. However I may seek out CBT for it to help me form a further positive mental attitude towards it as it would be with me for many years.

You can keep improving slowly and steadily, but you do need to accept that you may not (high expectation guarantee disappointment). If you have improved I'd say to be optimistic that it will continue! looking back day by day nothing seems to change; month by month trends are what matters.

 

[Bill Bauer]

hyperacusis still gives me bother from time to time. But I feel that it has improved

If it has improved, it ought to continue improving. Hyperacusis often goes away after a year or two. It goes away more often than tinnitus.

A year from now you will likely feel a lot better. Just make sure to not hurt your ears again.