Hyperacusis, As I See It
- Thread starter Michael Leigh
- Start date
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@Michael Leigh
How in the world did you cope when you first had hyperacusis?
Today made me release how bad my hyperacusis really is.
I had to go to the hospital for a procedure (unrelated to tinnitus & hyperacusis) and even with ear plugs and ear muffs I found a lot of the noises too loud (nurses talking loudly, chair legs scrapping against the floor). I had to take the ear muffs off while I was put under and pleaded and begged the doctor to ensure that the ear muffs were put back on me before they wheeled me back in to the noisy room I had been taken from.
I cannot:
shower
drive a car
go anywhere outside of my home (store, where people are talking etc)
Basically, can't do a damn thing
I do not wear ear protection in the home unless I need to run the bath water or boil water in the tea kettle.
I cannot tolerate the loudness of these sounds at this time.
As I have mentioned in the past, I have hearing aids (Widex Moment with Zen chimes) They have a built in sound... chimes sounds & chimes sounds with some white noise. I did just wear the hearing aids for a bit, then slowly started building up the time listening to the sounds during the day as you had suggested in a previous post to me. I am slowly increasing the time that I listen to the sounds during the day.
At night, I use a fan for white noise (it's the only noise my husband will tolerate).
My tinnitus is very loud and intrusive at night and I have to take Zopiclone if I want to get any sleep.
I cannot do TRT. It is not available in my area. It is much too far to travel.
For TRT, I read that at some point you need to gradually turn up the volume to get used to louder sounds, but... when do you know you are ready to do this?
I cannot afford another set back this early in the game after losing more sound tolerance after some errands two weeks ago.
I am so scared that this will never get better.
Your story gives me hope Michael. So my questions to you are:
How did you cope?
How can I do TRT on my own? I am currently reading a book on CBT and listen to the sound in my hearing aids.
I really respect and appreciate your advice.
How in the world did you cope when you first had hyperacusis?
Today made me release how bad my hyperacusis really is.
I had to go to the hospital for a procedure (unrelated to tinnitus & hyperacusis) and even with ear plugs and ear muffs I found a lot of the noises too loud (nurses talking loudly, chair legs scrapping against the floor). I had to take the ear muffs off while I was put under and pleaded and begged the doctor to ensure that the ear muffs were put back on me before they wheeled me back in to the noisy room I had been taken from.
I cannot:
shower
drive a car
go anywhere outside of my home (store, where people are talking etc)
Basically, can't do a damn thing
I do not wear ear protection in the home unless I need to run the bath water or boil water in the tea kettle.
I cannot tolerate the loudness of these sounds at this time.
As I have mentioned in the past, I have hearing aids (Widex Moment with Zen chimes) They have a built in sound... chimes sounds & chimes sounds with some white noise. I did just wear the hearing aids for a bit, then slowly started building up the time listening to the sounds during the day as you had suggested in a previous post to me. I am slowly increasing the time that I listen to the sounds during the day.
At night, I use a fan for white noise (it's the only noise my husband will tolerate).
My tinnitus is very loud and intrusive at night and I have to take Zopiclone if I want to get any sleep.
I cannot do TRT. It is not available in my area. It is much too far to travel.
For TRT, I read that at some point you need to gradually turn up the volume to get used to louder sounds, but... when do you know you are ready to do this?
I cannot afford another set back this early in the game after losing more sound tolerance after some errands two weeks ago.
I am so scared that this will never get better.
Your story gives me hope Michael. So my questions to you are:
How did you cope?
How can I do TRT on my own? I am currently reading a book on CBT and listen to the sound in my hearing aids.
I really respect and appreciate your advice.
@Michael Leigh
Thanks for that, I wasn't aware that noise is the usual cause of hyperacusis. I had definitely been in some noisy circumstances the months before it started, but I had also been in the same places for years before it started. I'm wondering if my ears had finally weakened to it.
Thanks for that, I wasn't aware that noise is the usual cause of hyperacusis. I had definitely been in some noisy circumstances the months before it started, but I had also been in the same places for years before it started. I'm wondering if my ears had finally weakened to it.
@Michael Leigh
It was pretty easy wearing the pink noise generators. However, what I noticed was an increase in the hyperacusis and was fearful of continuing. I found the low noise to be pleasant actually.
Here's what I'm wondering - at night I use a soothing fan to fall asleep. Could it be that the noise of the fan all night is increasing the hyperacusis? Your input is very appreciated!
Laura
It was pretty easy wearing the pink noise generators. However, what I noticed was an increase in the hyperacusis and was fearful of continuing. I found the low noise to be pleasant actually.
Here's what I'm wondering - at night I use a soothing fan to fall asleep. Could it be that the noise of the fan all night is increasing the hyperacusis? Your input is very appreciated!
Laura
HI @LindaS
In answer to your question I had a lot of difficulty coping with hyperacusis and tinnitus. This was 24 years ago when I had no internet access and found hyperacusis extremely difficult to live with. As I have previously mentioned, conversation with people became quite painful and I had to ask them to lower their voice.
The advice I give on hyperacusis and noise induced tinnitus is to be used as guidance because we are all different. Depending on how a person is affected by these conditions, mentally and emotionally, will affect how long their recovery will take. You also have hearing loss and are using dual purpose devices that incorporate hearing aids with Zen chimes. I am not familiar with Zen chimes so can only comment on white noise because that is what my sound generators were fitted with and still use today as and when I require them. Please be assured they are only used for sound enrichment, as I have No hyperacusis.
Personally, I do not think Zen chimes are a good thing as they could cause irritation. The fact they are chimes suggests to me they emit multiple tones? I would rather keep things plain and simple and use low level white or pink noise in my sound generators. I think you should turn off the Zen chimes and give your ears more time to get used to using the hearing aids alone. Remember, many people that develop tinnitus due to hearing loss find the tinnitus reduces once they are fitted with appropriate hearing aids. This can take weeks or months to be realized.
A fan is not the right device to use for sound enrichment as this can cause irritation to the auditory system, due to the fact the sound cannot be adjusted unlike a sound machine. A fan will often mask the tinnitus and this is the wrong thing to do. It is for this reason I suggested to you to use a sound machine with an pillow speakers for privacy.
Some Audiologists that practice TRT with patients that have tinnitus and hyperacusis, advise to increase the volume of the white noise generators gradually to treat the hyperacusis. I do not agree with this approach nor does my Hearing Therapist, as this can cause irriation to the auditiory system and spike the tinnitus and increase the hyperacusis. People have contacted me who have used this approach. When I have suggested they try my method of keeping the white noise slightly below the tinnitus they no longer experience difficulty.
I thank you for your kind comments that you appreciate my advice. Therefore, please take note of the following: Whilst it's good to acquire knowledge from various sources. Regarding tinnitus and hyperacusis, you have to be careful as people with have different ideas and opinions on doing things. I do not claim my suggestions are the right way, but if you are going to follow my advice then I suggest you stop reading books on TRT and CBT because you cannot counsel yourself.
As I have suggested in many of my posts in the links that I have sent you which are also available on my "Started Threads". The best way I believe in recovering from tinnitus and hyperacusis is to bring positivity into your life. Engage in the things that you like to do and gradually, your focus on tinnitus and hyperacusis will become less which is what you want.
Therefore, print my articles to paper and keep them in a folder and read them often. This will help to reinforce positive thinking, as they are a form of counselling which is similar to what a tinnitus therapist would discuss with you face to face. In addition to this try and not visit tinnitus forum too often and keep away from negative thinking people.
You are still in the early stages of tinnitus so please give yourself plenty of time with your recovery and try not to worry.
Take care
Michael
@LauraK4
A fan is not suitable in my opinion as it can cause irritation to the auditory system. Please read my post above to LindaS, where I recommend using a sound machine for low level sound enrichment which can be adjusted. Sound Oasis sound machines are very good and made for people with tinnitus. Model S-650 is popular.
Take your time with the sound generators.
Michael
@Michael Leigh
First of all, thanks so much for all of your help. I'm giving the wearable pink noise generators another go, and I like your concept of positivity. I'm not going to pursue in office counseling due to covid, however am doing and will continue to do reading online.
One of the main concepts from what I can see is exercises in reducing negative association. What is suggested is 10 second intervals of thinking of the T with neutral associations, do this about 12 times a day and increase the length of the intervals.
Does this sound about right? I've tried this with meditation alongside listening to the T for the 10 seconds.
If you or ANYONE knows of TRT counselors (I'm in the U.S.) who do this counseling online, names and contact information welcome!
First of all, thanks so much for all of your help. I'm giving the wearable pink noise generators another go, and I like your concept of positivity. I'm not going to pursue in office counseling due to covid, however am doing and will continue to do reading online.
One of the main concepts from what I can see is exercises in reducing negative association. What is suggested is 10 second intervals of thinking of the T with neutral associations, do this about 12 times a day and increase the length of the intervals.
Does this sound about right? I've tried this with meditation alongside listening to the T for the 10 seconds.
If you or ANYONE knows of TRT counselors (I'm in the U.S.) who do this counseling online, names and contact information welcome!
@LindaS
Hello, we have some similarities in what causes the hyperacusis. Running water from the faucets is a big one, higher volume voices are bad, even hearing my footsteps when walking increases it.
What jumped out at me was your hearing aides Sound have chimes. Truthfully that would make my H go crazy. I've only heard of white or pink noise in wearable noise generators. Is it possible for your audiologist to replace the chimes sound with pink or white sound?
You're not alone!
Laura
Hello, we have some similarities in what causes the hyperacusis. Running water from the faucets is a big one, higher volume voices are bad, even hearing my footsteps when walking increases it.
What jumped out at me was your hearing aides Sound have chimes. Truthfully that would make my H go crazy. I've only heard of white or pink noise in wearable noise generators. Is it possible for your audiologist to replace the chimes sound with pink or white sound?
You're not alone!
Laura
HI @LauraK4
Since you have asked for my advice I will give it and hope you don't mind if I say, I don't agree with what you intend to do above. You are in the early stages of tinnitus and my advice is to take things slowly. I don't think the above exercises are necessary nor is online therapy sessions at this time. If you need counselling I think it's best done face-to face and I would leave this until your 6 months in with tinnitus, as I've mentioned in my TRT articles. Anxiety and stress are often associated with tinnitus and if you are affected by these then talk to your doctor who may suggest medication, which I think will be helpful.
Please read my posts in the links that I have sent you to help reinforce positivity. Try to engage in things you like to do and get out and socialise if possible.
Take care
Michael
Since you know nothing about Noise induced tinnitus, anything that you read on how to treat it will sound stupid, especially if you try to base it on so called "Science". I have no wish to correspond with you or read your posts, and will deal with you as I've done with others if you persist on being an annoyance.
Michael, I have read enough of the things you post to conclude you probably have never suffered from hyperacusis. That said, your obsession with TRT, WNGs and obsolete protocols that no one no longer considers "treatments" is worrying, unless you are trying to SELL them.
@Juan
Since you have addressed me in a more polite manner I am replying to your post. There is a well known doctor that posts regularly in this forum and helps people that are having difficulty with tinnitus. I have often mentioned that I visit other tinnitus forums. Please read my article below: TRT, As I see it. When you have finished, please visit Hyperacusis & Tinnitus Talk, on Facebook and read what this doctor recently said about it.
Thank you.
Michael
TRT, As I See It.
I think some people misunderstand TRT and the way it can help tinnitus. Whilst a person is entitled to an opinion, if they haven't been on the programme and only read reports on it, I don't believe they are getting the full picture. A number of people have asked me about its effectiveness and when should it be administered. I covered this in my post: What is TRT and when should it be started: https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/what-is-trt-and-when-should-it-be-started.19024/
TRT has quite a following and has caused much debate in this forum and elsewhere on the Internet. Unfortunately, a lot of these comments haven't been favourable, although those that have had the treatment or elements of it have said they found it helpful. This treatment is expensive and I will be candid and say, only those that can afford it are able to try it.
Where I live the treatment is free but it is only available at selected hospitals. Even then, some don't follow the TRT protocol and adapt the treatment to their requirements but good results have still been possible. In some parts of the UK it's just not available nor is CBT. Therefore, anyone wanting TRT will have to pay privately at clinic. Other forum members have told me the treatment is free in their country and like the UK, it has been adapted to include some elements of the therapy. This may be wearing one or two white noise generators and not always having tinnitus counselling with a Hearing Therapist, so a person may be left to just get along with it.
I have learned in some countries medical insurance won't touch TRT, so a person will have to pay for it out of their own pocket, which I think this is unfortunate.
So what is TRT and if one is able to pay for it should they, taking into account some of the negative comments that it has received? Having had TRT twice over 20 years following the TRT protocol, I will try to shed some more light on this treatment and hopefully give the individual a little more clarity to make up their own mind on whether the financial outlay is worth it, but more importantly; is it effective as a treatment for someone that has tinnitus and hyperacusis and enable them to have a better quality of life?
I first want to say the following is based on my own opinion and therefore is not professional medical advice. The onset of tinnitus can be quite an emotional roller coaster for a lot of people, and I believe a person needs time for this to settle. Many people habituate within the first six months to one year of the onset of tinnitus without any treatment. If a person just has tinnitus without any additional symptoms, such as dizziness, deafness or balance problems. I think a period of at least six months should elapse before starting a long-term treatment such as TRT. Anyone paying privately needs to know they are getting the proper treatment. Any clinic not giving you this service then I advise you to go elsewhere because it is not TRT. You should be given two white noise generators to wear and also having regular counselling sessions with a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist. More is explained in the above link.
TRT is not a complete cure so anyone seeking this might be disappointed. However, the sound therapy, which involves wearing white noise generators, I believe can cure hyperacusis as in my case. It should be noted, whilst this treatment may not cure tinnitus, many people find its perception reduces to such a low level they can comfortably live with it. Habituate. In some instances a person might be unaware of their tinnitus for long periods. Each person will respond to it differently.
If you have ever lost someone that is close to you, such as a parent, partner or even a pet then you will know what it is to grieve. Most people will go through this process at some point in their life. It is not often talked about but we all know it's something that's inevitable and will come to us sooner or later perhaps even more than once in our lifetime. It requires a period of time for a person to accept that their life has changed, and time is needed to adjust so they will eventually be able to move on.
Why am I saying this some of you might be wondering? A forum member recently asked what does TRT involve? I was explaining to him, the counselling part of the therapy and the relationship between patient and Hearing Therapist. At first the therapist discusses with the patient how the tinnitus makes them feel and how it has impacted on their life. Often people say they have lost interest in the things they once liked doing, which is perfectly understandable. The main goal is to gradually help them to look at life differently and with a more positive outlook. Over time the negative thinking that is often associated with tinnitus and hyperacusis is gradually dispelled and demystified. The Hearing Therapist does this in a controlled and precise manner so that the patient feels relaxed and not pressured.
The forum member then said it sounds like a form of grief counselling. After we had spoken I thought about it and have to say I believe it to be a good description, because that's what the therapy part of TRT is akin to. Thanks Paul @PaulBe. The amount of times people have told me over the phone or read posts in this forum: "If I could only get my life back". "My life used to be perfect". "I keep looking at peoples ears and wondering what my life used to be like". "If I could only hear silence again". And so on.
When someone gets loud intrusive tinnitus with or without hyperacusis, in an instant their world has been turned upside down. Some go through periods of stress, anxiety even depression and yearn for the way life was before the onset. They need time to adjust and to accept this new anomaly in their life. Some have an easier time than others at habituating, so may not need the help of a tinnitus counselling. For some that find the tinnitus and hyperacusis severely intrusive TRT and CBT can prove to be helpful. It all depends on the individual, their emotional makeup and the severity of the condition because we are all different. It is for this reason; the treatment can take up to 2 years for a person to adjust to a different way of life and often with a positive outcome.
I was fortunate to have TRT twice and found it to be helpful on both occasions. I only wish that it were more readily available to others.
- Aug 5, 2019
- 1,852
- Tinnitus Since
- 05/2019
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Autoimmune hyperacusis from Sjogren's Syndrome
I thought ignoring him would be the right move, but I cringed when I saw someone going to him as the expert. The dude is an expert on victim blaming and damaging peoples' ears.
To anyone who reads this: Never, ever, ever, ever push through hyperacusis pain for some greater good. The inner ear is super fragile, and you just might set yourself back for months or even permanently.
@LauraK4
My audiologist cannot just program white or pink noise in my hearing aids. The manufacturer only offers chimes/chimes with underlying white noise.
I got the Widex Moment aids because I am outside a lot (I live in the country) and the wind/nature sounds are so natural with these aides. Doesn't even feel like I'm wearing any.
I am in the process of getting the Bluetooth option for my aids along with a new phone.
Then, I can download whatever sound apps I want to listen to in my aids. (I do sometimes get tired of listen to the chimes).
The following is just an FYI:
I believe I read that you have "usual and customary mild hearing loss but nothing significant."
Based on your hearing loss being mild and not significant, I assume you do not wear hearing aids.
Not trying to sell you on them, but it jumped out at me because of something my audiologist told me. She said people wait way too long before getting hearing aids and mentioned more hearing can be preserved if hearing loss is addressed earlier rather than later. I thought she was just trying to sell me aids but I did some research and found
some truth to this.
There's a growing collection of detailed studies that demonstrate, clinically, that people with hearing loss do better addressing the limitation when they act quickly. Why? When the hearing nerves and the areas of the brain responsible for hearing are deprived of sound, they atrophy – weaken – making recovery from hearing loss through mechanical means, aka a hearing aid, that much more difficult. The fancy term used by hearing professionals is auditory deprivation.
https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/46306-Hearing-loss-auditory-deprivation
When hearing loss is ignored and left untreated, the auditory system is deprived of sound. Depriving the hearing system of sound results in atrophy of the auditory nerves and speech processing areas of the brain. This atrophy is called Auditory Deprivation. Once auditory deprivation has taken place, restoring hearing through the use of hearing aids becomes much more difficult.
Auditory deprivation leads to increased difficulty understanding words and processing speech. Individuals with hearing loss often report they hear people speaking but they can't understand what they're saying ‐ the words are not clear. The good news is that when identified early and treated quickly, individuals with hearing loss have better success with hearing devices and preserve better hearing sensitivity across their lifespan.
https://hearingrehabcenter.com/hearing-loss/auditory-deprivation/
Hoping to chat again soon!
My audiologist cannot just program white or pink noise in my hearing aids. The manufacturer only offers chimes/chimes with underlying white noise.
I got the Widex Moment aids because I am outside a lot (I live in the country) and the wind/nature sounds are so natural with these aides. Doesn't even feel like I'm wearing any.
I am in the process of getting the Bluetooth option for my aids along with a new phone.
Then, I can download whatever sound apps I want to listen to in my aids. (I do sometimes get tired of listen to the chimes).
The following is just an FYI:
I believe I read that you have "usual and customary mild hearing loss but nothing significant."
Based on your hearing loss being mild and not significant, I assume you do not wear hearing aids.
Not trying to sell you on them, but it jumped out at me because of something my audiologist told me. She said people wait way too long before getting hearing aids and mentioned more hearing can be preserved if hearing loss is addressed earlier rather than later. I thought she was just trying to sell me aids but I did some research and found
some truth to this.
There's a growing collection of detailed studies that demonstrate, clinically, that people with hearing loss do better addressing the limitation when they act quickly. Why? When the hearing nerves and the areas of the brain responsible for hearing are deprived of sound, they atrophy – weaken – making recovery from hearing loss through mechanical means, aka a hearing aid, that much more difficult. The fancy term used by hearing professionals is auditory deprivation.
https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/46306-Hearing-loss-auditory-deprivation
When hearing loss is ignored and left untreated, the auditory system is deprived of sound. Depriving the hearing system of sound results in atrophy of the auditory nerves and speech processing areas of the brain. This atrophy is called Auditory Deprivation. Once auditory deprivation has taken place, restoring hearing through the use of hearing aids becomes much more difficult.
Auditory deprivation leads to increased difficulty understanding words and processing speech. Individuals with hearing loss often report they hear people speaking but they can't understand what they're saying ‐ the words are not clear. The good news is that when identified early and treated quickly, individuals with hearing loss have better success with hearing devices and preserve better hearing sensitivity across their lifespan.
https://hearingrehabcenter.com/hearing-loss/auditory-deprivation/
Hoping to chat again soon!
@Michael Leigh
Once again I am indebted to you for your counsel. Please know that it is very much appreciated.
Once again I am indebted to you for your counsel. Please know that it is very much appreciated.
@Michael Leigh
Hi - I'm actually a year in, June 2019. Did I write that wrong somewhere
?
I've done a fair amount of reading and will continue and won't go the route of counseling along with the WNG. The online advice seems to be good . And your mantra of positivity is opening doors. The exercise of counting 10 seconds listening and staying neutral is pretty effective, throughout the day. An audiologist on a T, H website suggested it. And increase the seconds.
We'll see where this goes, but all your input is very appreciated.
Laura
Hi - I'm actually a year in, June 2019. Did I write that wrong somewhere
?I've done a fair amount of reading and will continue and won't go the route of counseling along with the WNG. The online advice seems to be good . And your mantra of positivity is opening doors. The exercise of counting 10 seconds listening and staying neutral is pretty effective, throughout the day. An audiologist on a T, H website suggested it. And increase the seconds.
We'll see where this goes, but all your input is very appreciated.
Laura
Hi - I'm actually a year in, June 2019. Did I write that wrong somewhere
Sorry my mistake @LauraK4 for not realizing you are a year in.
I wish you the best of luck whatever you decide to do and take care.....
Michael
- Dec 21, 2019
- 319
- Tinnitus Since
- 2014, 10/2019
- Cause of Tinnitus
- School Band, Noxious Car Radio
Hi @Michael Leigh, I know you do not like to debate on this forum but I am going to respond to some of your points for the benefit of those lurking this thread. Feel free to ignore my reply if you wish.
All this talk on attitude has a complete lack of nuance. While I'm sure everyone can agree that having a positive outlook can improve your life experience, the body and mind do not exist in separate vacuums. Patients with tinnitus, along with other chronic diseases such as sleep apnea and diabetes, have significantly increased suicidal ideation and planning (and in some cases attempting) compared to the general public (click links for studies). This is a clear evidence that chronic disease impacts mental health. While we should all strive to find joy in our lives as they are, inhabiting a damaged body is mentally taxing. There is NO SHAME in having a hard time. An effective treatment would help regardless of attitude.
Secondly, I disagree with some of the advice you are giving hyperacusis patients on this thread. It is not in line with our latest scientifically informed guidelines. Based on the latest guidelines the most important goal is to avoid worsening your symptoms, often referred to as a "setback". Many patients find that when they encounter a noise that is too loud it will lead them to have worsened symptoms for a period of time, lasting from days to weeks. That's why its very important that you protect your ears from uncomfortably and painfully loud noise. Symptoms tend to improve with time from onset over the course of 1-2 years. You can find links to some success stories here to give you hope. I personally have recovered quite well over the 6 months since my noise incident, going from burning pain in response to all sound to only a minor sensitivity. Give yourself time to recover after onset before dishing out money on expensive treatments.
While sound therapy and TRT (which, to be clear, were not developed for the treatment of hyperacusis) can be offered as a treatment there is not much research into how effective it is (especially in the long term). You can find a summary of research here. While some do benefit from sound therapy, there is a possibility of making sound tolerance worse. Sound therapy is believed to be most beneficial to those who only experience a heightened sense of loudness; if you experience painful hyperacusis it is much less likely to have meaningful benefit.
If you are in the Tampa area, there is an ongoing study on a device to manage hyperacusis that acts to "clip" loud noises so you do not need to worry about unexpected sounds like car horns, dogs barking, etc while you go about your life. It still allows sounds within you comfort to be heard normally. You can find more information here.
Some good resources for information on hyperacusis are hyperacusis focus and hyperacusis research and Brian Polard's appearance on the TTalk podcast. Great content for you if you'd like to understand your condition better.
I hope this is helpful!
All this talk on attitude has a complete lack of nuance. While I'm sure everyone can agree that having a positive outlook can improve your life experience, the body and mind do not exist in separate vacuums. Patients with tinnitus, along with other chronic diseases such as sleep apnea and diabetes, have significantly increased suicidal ideation and planning (and in some cases attempting) compared to the general public (click links for studies). This is a clear evidence that chronic disease impacts mental health. While we should all strive to find joy in our lives as they are, inhabiting a damaged body is mentally taxing. There is NO SHAME in having a hard time. An effective treatment would help regardless of attitude.
Secondly, I disagree with some of the advice you are giving hyperacusis patients on this thread. It is not in line with our latest scientifically informed guidelines. Based on the latest guidelines the most important goal is to avoid worsening your symptoms, often referred to as a "setback". Many patients find that when they encounter a noise that is too loud it will lead them to have worsened symptoms for a period of time, lasting from days to weeks. That's why its very important that you protect your ears from uncomfortably and painfully loud noise. Symptoms tend to improve with time from onset over the course of 1-2 years. You can find links to some success stories here to give you hope. I personally have recovered quite well over the 6 months since my noise incident, going from burning pain in response to all sound to only a minor sensitivity. Give yourself time to recover after onset before dishing out money on expensive treatments.
While sound therapy and TRT (which, to be clear, were not developed for the treatment of hyperacusis) can be offered as a treatment there is not much research into how effective it is (especially in the long term). You can find a summary of research here. While some do benefit from sound therapy, there is a possibility of making sound tolerance worse. Sound therapy is believed to be most beneficial to those who only experience a heightened sense of loudness; if you experience painful hyperacusis it is much less likely to have meaningful benefit.
If you are in the Tampa area, there is an ongoing study on a device to manage hyperacusis that acts to "clip" loud noises so you do not need to worry about unexpected sounds like car horns, dogs barking, etc while you go about your life. It still allows sounds within you comfort to be heard normally. You can find more information here.
Some good resources for information on hyperacusis are hyperacusis focus and hyperacusis research and Brian Polard's appearance on the TTalk podcast. Great content for you if you'd like to understand your condition better.
I hope this is helpful!
It is disappointing to see you continue to brand all who disagree with you as "negative". This is a public forum in which people with different ideas and experiences come together to discuss their tinnitus and hyperacusis. It is very rude of you to act as the arbiter on who is experiencing valid symptoms and who is receiving valid treatments. Just like us, you are not an expert.
@MrCrybaby
You are correct I do not like to debate in this forum or any other. I am here purely to offer my help and support to anyone that asks, and try to help those with Noise induced tinnitus, as this is what I am familiar with. Tinnitus caused by an underlying medical problem within the auditory system including Pulsatile tinnitus, I try not to give in-depth advice because I don't have the required knowledge.
I was once helped in a forum similar to this one many years ago and it's my way of trying to give something back. I have never claimed to be an expert in tinnitus or hyperacusis and would appreciate if you don't refer to me as being one. The advice that I give should only be used as guidance and is based on personal experience with tinnitus and hyperacusis, corresponding and counselling people with these conditions. In this forum, by email and telephone to those that want to contact me. The treatment and therapies that I advise on I've had in Audiology under the NHS in the UK, with a Hearing Therapist /Audiologist and is still used in many of their hospitals. I am not aware of the treatments used in other countries.
I have previously mentioned I'm not one for reading data and studies on websites about Tinnitus and hyperacusis, or interested in Tinnitus seminars and conferences. Most of these studies and papers were written by medical professionals that have never experienced tinnitus or hyperacusis and therefore have no personal experience. I have had tinnitus for 24 years. My Audiovestibular consultant I believe to be an excellent physician and she has a PhD. I have a very good rapport with her and she once told me, that I know more about tinnitus than her, simply because she has never experienced it. She knows all about the anatomy of the ear and auditory system because this is her area of expertise. However, regarding tinnitus and hyperacusis she has no experience of.
It is for this reason patients in the UK, that have been affected by Noise induced tinnitus and may have developed hyperacusis, are referred to Audiology for treatments after been assessed at ENT. ENT doctors do not treat Noise induced tinnitus or hyperacusis, they treat underlying medical problems within the auditory system that is causing the tinnitus.
A lot of Audiologists and Hearing Therapists that practice tinnitus and hyperacusis management in NHS hospitals were either born with tinnitus (as my hearing therapist was) or acquired it at some time in their life. The only way to fully understand and possibly help someone with Noise induced tinnitus and hyperacusis and I'm referring to counselling here, is to have experience of living with these conditions. Tinnitus and hyperacusis are treatable and many people have success with TRT, CBT, Mindfullness, Sound Therapy, counselling and medication. Hyperacusis can be treated using sound therapy: white noise generators and often it is curable as in my case.
Thank you for your post and I wish you well, and hope I have explained myself and will not be commenting further.
Michael
- Aug 5, 2019
- 1,852
- Tinnitus Since
- 05/2019
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Autoimmune hyperacusis from Sjogren's Syndrome
I don't care if Michael ever gets it. I care about the real danger that he is viewed as an expert. No one is an expert. No one. People like Bryan Pollard are as close as one can be to an expert, but even he's not an expert. It's not his fault; this condition is just in its infancy in terms of knowledge. To be clear, I view Pollard as a hero...but he if he told me X about my hyperacusis and my body did Y, I would listen to my body over him. That's how rare an unknown this condition is.
Hi @LindaS
Thanks for your reply and information, I think you're right that it is good to head off hearing loss early, even if only mild. In this regard, I am now using the hearing aid plus pink noise components of the aide the audiologist made for me. And I'm definitely noticing it easier to hear tv, so what I thought might have been insignificant is actually not.
I think the blue tooth with programmed sounds from your phone is a good idea. I'm not sure what the dynamics are, but according to my audiologist, pink noise is better. Maybe she said this because it would be less activating to the T. I had planned on a follow up visit but it was cancelled due to Covid. The pink noise at a very low level is comfortable for me right now. I had it at notch up higher volume and that was a problem, now it's at the lowest level.
So, at this, I'm wearing the hearing aid in the one ear that has the T (this is also what she recommended) and using the hearing aid plus pink noise for 8 to 10 hours a day.
It occurred to me that perhaps the chimes don't exacerbate H for you. It's the pitch that I'm reasonably sure would get to me.
How long have you been using the sound generators?
Laura
Thanks for your reply and information, I think you're right that it is good to head off hearing loss early, even if only mild. In this regard, I am now using the hearing aid plus pink noise components of the aide the audiologist made for me. And I'm definitely noticing it easier to hear tv, so what I thought might have been insignificant is actually not.
I think the blue tooth with programmed sounds from your phone is a good idea. I'm not sure what the dynamics are, but according to my audiologist, pink noise is better. Maybe she said this because it would be less activating to the T. I had planned on a follow up visit but it was cancelled due to Covid. The pink noise at a very low level is comfortable for me right now. I had it at notch up higher volume and that was a problem, now it's at the lowest level.
So, at this, I'm wearing the hearing aid in the one ear that has the T (this is also what she recommended) and using the hearing aid plus pink noise for 8 to 10 hours a day.
It occurred to me that perhaps the chimes don't exacerbate H for you. It's the pitch that I'm reasonably sure would get to me.
How long have you been using the sound generators?
Laura
- Apr 30, 2018
- 2,507
- Tinnitus Since
- 02/2018
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Single 25 mg dose of (anticholinergic) drug Promethazine
@LauraK4, @LindaS -- You may want to check out the following thread, which gives a pretty compelling case for being cautious about using wireless technologies when a person has tinnitus. -- Best...
Bluetooth Makes My Tinnitus Worse? | Tinnitus Talk Support ...
- Apr 30, 2018
- 2,507
- Tinnitus Since
- 02/2018
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Single 25 mg dose of (anticholinergic) drug Promethazine
@LindaS -- I'm not sure if we're on the same page. My concern is with the wireless radiation (from any source). While you seem to be referring just to the sound, or volume of sound? There are threads on the forum where people developed tinnitus from all the Wifi gadgets in a new pickup truck. Another definitely narrowed his tinnitus down to a new smart meter installed on his home.
Others have made a connection to their wireless router. The literature on wireless radiation of all kinds invariably mentions reports of people developing tinnitus after being exposed to it. I'm fairly amazed more people on this forum don't give it greater consideration for their own unknown cause of tinnitus, or unexplained sudden spikes.
@Michael Leigh hi Michael I am in the UK and trying to find a good quality pink noise generator but having difficulty. I can't get to see a TRT or audiologist at the moment due to coronavirus.
Could you recommend where to get one? The only sound oasis one I can find is white noise. Many thanks.
Could you recommend where to get one? The only sound oasis one I can find is white noise. Many thanks.
HI @Zigs
I don't quite understand what you mean. Are you wanting to buy a pink noise sound generator that fits on the back of the ear or in the ear canal to supply pink noise? Or are you wanting to buy a standalone sound machine?
Michael
