Earplugs in the Shower (the Occlusion Effect): Don't Do It!

[B18c1vtech]

I've noticed this. I stopped doing earplugs but now I'm doing it again because it's just not worth a spike. Ears go nuts after a shower. Why is this?

Because you are no longer being masked by the sound of the shower, this is very normal, and super common.

 

[CrazyBison]

I'm a bit late to the discussion since I just joined this forum, but has anyone tried washing their hair in the sink? Such as soaking their hair, turn off the water, lather shampoo, and then rinse it off? That way you're not bombarding your head with water.

I also notice that after I shower, it triggers my ear to have that "vibrating" feeling and pressure, like a car engine is running idle in my ear. Thankfully it goes away after a night's rest, but it's still worrying every time.

 

[Joe Cuber]

I sometimes wash my hair in the sink, not to avoid shower sounds per se, but just because it's convenient. I have short hair, so it's relatively easy for me.

 

[Athens]

I'm a bit late to the discussion since I just joined this forum, but has anyone tried washing their hair in the sink? Such as soaking their hair, turn off the water, lather shampoo, and then rinse it off? That way you're not bombarding your head with water.

I also notice that after I shower, it triggers my ear to have that "vibrating" feeling and pressure, like a car engine is running idle in my ear. Thankfully it goes away after a night's rest, but it's still worrying every time.

I always used earplugs in the shower, but I stopped several weeks ago as part of my effort to expose myself to sound. I think that my poor sleep patterns are more of a reason for any lack of progress with hyperacusis and tinnitus. My sleep is improving, and I have discovered that I can go to a restaurant (as long as it is not a very loud environment) and not wear earplugs and get along just fine.

 

[Joe Cuber]

I always used earplugs in the shower, but I stopped several weeks ago as part of my effort to expose myself to sound. I think that my poor sleep patterns are more of a reason for any lack of progress with hyperacusis and tinnitus. My sleep is improving, and I have discovered that I can go to a restaurant (as long as it is not a very loud environment) and not wear earplugs and get along just fine.

Wow that's some great progress @Athens, I'm not quite there yet. I could probably bear it for about 15 minutes. After that, my anxiety would start to rise.

 

[Athens]

Wow that's some great progress @Athens, I'm not quite there yet. I could probably bear it for about 15 minutes. After that, my anxiety would start to rise.

I would be anxious in a loud environment. It has to be a relatively normal level of sound. I went to a somewhat loud cocktail party a few weeks ago and could tolerate it better than in the past.

 

[Joe Cuber]

I went to a somewhat loud cocktail party a few weeks ago and could tolerate it better than in the past.

That's great. I'm slowly exposing myself to louder environments little by little. I hope to be able to go to a restaurant at some point.