Your Opinion on the New Hyperacusis Research

Hello Mr. Nagler,

Thank you again for taking the time to answer questions like this, it's a great resource thats allowed me to arm myself with some good tools before I plan on starting TRT in two weeks at St Pauls Hospital in Vancouver Canada.

Regarding my question, I was wondering if you've seen and/or have an opinion about some of the research thats come out from the Hyperacusis Research group. Some of the research that have come out is interesting and a bit scary.

Here is the link from there newest findings:

http://hyperacusisresearch.org/explore-our-research/hyperacusis-research.html

I am however worried when they say statements like (this one was taken from their Facebook Page, describing the results)

Here we describe Charlie Liberman's findings about how the synaptic ribbon fibers connecting hair cells to the auditory pathway can be damaged even though the hair cells survive and – more importantly – how this type of damage is typically not detectable with normal auditory tests. In his presentation, Liberman also described how this type of damage can occur at sound levels previously thought to be safe. We need more research to understand if hyperacusis patients are at more risk to this damage.

and in response to a comment that someone posted about if this means that this equates to damage...

Those with hyperacusis are not likely to suffer permanent hearing loss from a noise below 85 dB but are likely to suffer from greater ear pain, increased sound sensitivity and louder tinnitus. Hearing loss is not the only form of damage.

I am hoping that they are not saying that this means that it could be a permanent increase!

Again, thank you for being such a good resource for this website. When I start my TRT in two weeks, I will try and do what Dr Jastreboff suggested and try and just live my life and not spend as much time on the boards.

My T is of a 1000 hz tone and is around the 35 and 52 db mark in my left and right ear. I am just really hoping that I am not to severe to help, and or in turn make my tinnitus worse. But I have heard great things about this clinic and look forward to getting some support and getting this process going . I also have mild Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and hope that this will not make it more difficult for me habituate (if you have any insight regarding this then your insight would be much welcomed as well).

Thanks again, and I apologize for the ramble at the end!

Cheers,

Kris

 

Hi @kmohoruk -

Thank you for your inquiry.

I am familiar with the opinions expressed in the article you cited.

At this point in time my understanding and experience tell me that hyperacusics are at no greater risk for auditory damage from noise than the general population. And in terms of tinnitus, my knowledge and experience tell me that it is highly unlikely that any exacerbation of tinnitus in a hyperacusic due to exposure to a noise level that while uncomfortable is not loud enough to cause auditory damage will be permanent.

If you see Glynnis Tidball at St. Pauls, please be sure to give her my regards.

Dr. Stephen Nagler