Hyperacusis Question — If 50 dB Sounds Like 80 dB, Is It Still Damaging?

[Zeneth]

So.. I've seemed to have obtained H since my tinnitus and I've been wearing earplugs through 8th grade because it's so loud... But my question is,
Let's say there is a 50db sound (not so damaging or loud)
But with H it sounds like 80db
(A bit damaging?)

That's just an example^ may not be accurate

But Do your ears actually get damaged or not? Even though it sounds like 80, is it really 80 and slightly damaging? I'm just confused and haven't done much research.

Thanks

 

[DDD]

I don't think anybody knows 100% for sure but I personally don't think so.

 

[Michael Leigh]

@Zeneth
You need treatment for your hyperacusis and tinnitus. If your hyperacusis isn't treated you will always have a sensitivity problem with certain sounds no matter how loud or low they are. At one time my hyperacusis was so severe I had to ask people to lower their voice when in conversation with them.
If you click on the link you might find the post: Answers to hyperacusis and habituation helpful
Best of luck
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/answers-to-hyperacusis-and-habituation.12058/

 

[Vinnitus]

So.. I've seemed to have obtained H since my tinnitus and I've been wearing earplugs through 8th grade because it's so loud... But my question is,
Let's say there is a 50db sound (not so damaging or loud)
But with H it sounds like 80db
(A bit damaging?)

That's just an example^ may not be accurate

But Do your ears actually get damaged or not? Even though it sounds like 80, is it really 80 and slightly damaging? I'm just confused and haven't done much research.

Thanks

Logically speaking; I don't think so. From what I read, Hyperacusis appears to be a problem with processing sound. Meaning somewhere along the auditory pathways something happens through which you perceive the sound as much louder and painful. The cochlear input however, are still soundwaves with a force of 50dB. So unless former injury makes you more susceptible to any following injury to the cochlea (at lower sound levels) or other components of the auditory pathway, I guess this is not the case.

If lower sounds were damaging in the case of Hyperacusis, it wasn't advised by audiologists to slowly introduce the ears to louder sounds (until a reasonable treshold of course) as a means of "getting used" to normal input again.

This is my understanding, someone correct me when wrong.

 

[Sen]

Damaging in what way?

Hyperacusis isn't even known to be damage, so I'm not sure what relevance a damaging or non-damaging level of sound would be to someone who has it.

A 50db sound won't cause hearing loss. For most people it probably wouldn't worsen their hyperacusis or tinnitus either, in my opinion. But opinions aren't necessarily facts.

 

[Zeneth]

damage my hearing or tinnitus

 

[Bobby B]

There isn't enough knowledge on this but the recent studies show that nerve damages play a much bigger part rather than just hair cells damage so this increased noise sensitivity may also be due to nerve damage...neves being extra sensitive to noise .
If you protect your ears it will get better and better and over time - 6 months or a year depending on age and damage - it will subside and then you can slowly start exposing your ears to louder sounds .

The key is to take your time - don't push the ears ...do it step by step and it will be fine you need to give those ears some healing time and those heal but very slowly.

At first for me 55db sounded very loud even with earmuffs on so I kept the muffs on for a few more months and now I am fine and sound quality is much better too.

For me the recovery process is 3 years project not something i can achieve in a few weeks

 

[Bobby B]

For me also light therapy (LLLT,led etc..) helped a lot for H and sound quality

 

[DDD]

@Bobby B isn't this risking overprotection, or no?

 

[Bobby B]

@Bobby B isn't this risking overprotection, or no?

Your are risking a temporary brain gain effect that goes away 100% after few minutes or hours at most - this is not permanent
All the studies we have on using plugs 24/7 show that whatever brain effect resulted was 100% reversible after plugs were taken out

Additional damage to already damaged hair cells or nerves is permanent though

 

[Bobby B]

just take your time - if it feels too loud then it is too loud - for your ears at this stage. ..in the future this will improve , then you can slowly re-expose yourselef to everyday noises..I don't plan on using ear protection all my life in but by doing so I was able to get rid of My H and improve sound quality a lot. No rush !

This is in the case of a pure acoustic trauma situation. If you have other issues - mental issues, stress or whatever causing H/T then of course don't wear ear protection - its pointless unless its really very noisy, like in a nightclub, shooting range or concert, using power tools etc..