Dear all,
Since I am experiencing another pain hyperacusis setback, I decided to write down my thoughts to share my experience. Some of you might relate to my situation, and perhaps my story will be useful to someone facing similar challenges. I want to emphasize that I have read nearly all the threads on this forum about hyperacusis. I am familiar with various coping strategies and deeply respect the diverse opinions in this field. I see hyperacusis as a spectrum condition, and each case is unique.
I have had tinnitus since 2021. It was noise induced after I attended a concert that lasted less than 20 minutes. However, the rest of that night involved partying at a bar and a silent disco, so I attribute my condition to the combination of those events.
My Hyperacusis Experience
Looking back, I now realize I had hyperacusis long before the concert. For at least three years prior, I experienced strange ear sensations such as fullness and discomfort after exposure to sounds like a coffee grinder, vacuum cleaner, loud television, or music in clubs and public gatherings. Oddly, I did not experience this in the cinema. At the time, I had never heard of hyperacusis and attributed these sensations to anxiety. These episodes were not constant, but they gradually became more severe each time they occurred. I thought it was all in my head and tried my best to ignore "that feeling" whenever it appeared.
After the concert, I developed mild, stable tinnitus. At first, I did not notice any hyperacusis symptoms. Slowly, however, the sensations of fullness returned, progressing over time to burning sensations and eventually mild dull or stabbing pain. Although these symptoms were sporadic and manageable, I began using earmuffs to protect my ears when necessary. I also decided to avoid concerts, cinemas, and any activities involving loud music, based on advice I had read here.
Life with Hyperacusis
For the past three years, I have managed to live with hyperacusis. It was bearable, allowing me to carry on with most activities. However, even though it was manageable, I missed my old life and struggled with the loss of ease and normalcy. I also lived in constant fear of worsening symptoms, which I believe caused PTSD. Setbacks were particularly challenging, sometimes requiring weeks of minimal sound exposure at home to recover. Between setbacks, I lived as normally as I could, using hearing protection only when necessary.
Interestingly, my hyperacusis is usually confined to one ear opposite the ear affected by tinnitus. Occasionally, the symptoms switch ears, but they are never in both ears simultaneously. The ear closer to the sound that triggers a setback is the one affected, which I find strange.
Setbacks and Triggers
Over the past three years, I have accidentally been exposed to many loud sounds: fire alarms, loud music from speakers, dropped forks and knives, shattered glass, and so on, often without hearing protection. These incidents never worsened my tinnitus or hyperacusis. I realized that setbacks were never triggered by particularly loud sounds. Instead, they seemed more likely when I was tired, exhausted, or exposed to sounds I perceived as dangerous to my ears.
My worst setback so far involved not only pain but also facial spasms in response to sounds as mild as running water in the sink. This episode took three weeks to resolve. During that time, I was lying in bed scrolling through Instagram without sound. I saw a DIY video where a man was hammering nails into a board. Just before the hammer struck, even though there was no actual sound, I felt the same facial spasm and ear pain. It was as if my brain anticipated the loud noise and reacted accordingly.
My Reflection on Hyperacusis
This experience made me question the nature of my hyperacusis. The fact that my symptoms included facial spasms triggered by the anticipation of sound suggests a neurological component. It made me wonder whether approaches involving neuromodulation, neuroplasticity, or attitude changes could be helpful, not just for me but for others who may have similar cases.
By sharing this story, I hope to highlight the importance of understanding that hyperacusis, at least in my case, might involve more than just the ears. I am considering trying these strategies to see if they help, and I encourage others to explore options that resonate with them.
I will update you on my progress.
Best of luck to you all.
Since I am experiencing another pain hyperacusis setback, I decided to write down my thoughts to share my experience. Some of you might relate to my situation, and perhaps my story will be useful to someone facing similar challenges. I want to emphasize that I have read nearly all the threads on this forum about hyperacusis. I am familiar with various coping strategies and deeply respect the diverse opinions in this field. I see hyperacusis as a spectrum condition, and each case is unique.
I have had tinnitus since 2021. It was noise induced after I attended a concert that lasted less than 20 minutes. However, the rest of that night involved partying at a bar and a silent disco, so I attribute my condition to the combination of those events.
My Hyperacusis Experience
Looking back, I now realize I had hyperacusis long before the concert. For at least three years prior, I experienced strange ear sensations such as fullness and discomfort after exposure to sounds like a coffee grinder, vacuum cleaner, loud television, or music in clubs and public gatherings. Oddly, I did not experience this in the cinema. At the time, I had never heard of hyperacusis and attributed these sensations to anxiety. These episodes were not constant, but they gradually became more severe each time they occurred. I thought it was all in my head and tried my best to ignore "that feeling" whenever it appeared.
After the concert, I developed mild, stable tinnitus. At first, I did not notice any hyperacusis symptoms. Slowly, however, the sensations of fullness returned, progressing over time to burning sensations and eventually mild dull or stabbing pain. Although these symptoms were sporadic and manageable, I began using earmuffs to protect my ears when necessary. I also decided to avoid concerts, cinemas, and any activities involving loud music, based on advice I had read here.
Life with Hyperacusis
For the past three years, I have managed to live with hyperacusis. It was bearable, allowing me to carry on with most activities. However, even though it was manageable, I missed my old life and struggled with the loss of ease and normalcy. I also lived in constant fear of worsening symptoms, which I believe caused PTSD. Setbacks were particularly challenging, sometimes requiring weeks of minimal sound exposure at home to recover. Between setbacks, I lived as normally as I could, using hearing protection only when necessary.
Interestingly, my hyperacusis is usually confined to one ear opposite the ear affected by tinnitus. Occasionally, the symptoms switch ears, but they are never in both ears simultaneously. The ear closer to the sound that triggers a setback is the one affected, which I find strange.
Setbacks and Triggers
Over the past three years, I have accidentally been exposed to many loud sounds: fire alarms, loud music from speakers, dropped forks and knives, shattered glass, and so on, often without hearing protection. These incidents never worsened my tinnitus or hyperacusis. I realized that setbacks were never triggered by particularly loud sounds. Instead, they seemed more likely when I was tired, exhausted, or exposed to sounds I perceived as dangerous to my ears.
My worst setback so far involved not only pain but also facial spasms in response to sounds as mild as running water in the sink. This episode took three weeks to resolve. During that time, I was lying in bed scrolling through Instagram without sound. I saw a DIY video where a man was hammering nails into a board. Just before the hammer struck, even though there was no actual sound, I felt the same facial spasm and ear pain. It was as if my brain anticipated the loud noise and reacted accordingly.
My Reflection on Hyperacusis
This experience made me question the nature of my hyperacusis. The fact that my symptoms included facial spasms triggered by the anticipation of sound suggests a neurological component. It made me wonder whether approaches involving neuromodulation, neuroplasticity, or attitude changes could be helpful, not just for me but for others who may have similar cases.
By sharing this story, I hope to highlight the importance of understanding that hyperacusis, at least in my case, might involve more than just the ears. I am considering trying these strategies to see if they help, and I encourage others to explore options that resonate with them.
I will update you on my progress.
Best of luck to you all.
