dolphinskin

I had a time of about 7 months where I spiked permanently from nothing or from things like crinkling a bag or chewing food through double protection. It got better for me and I don't spike anymore from those things.

I get similar thoughts when I go through spikes. Give it time, I know it's tough

@AnthonyMcDonald I'm so glad that stuff doesn't spike you anymore! But man, the sheer amount of stuff that can do you in is insane!

Our parents (and loved ones) coming to terms with the change, is almost worse than accepting it for ourselves.

Eventually I was spared the pain of declining invitations, because people more or less forgot about me.

It's bittersweet.

That said, I've just seen you've only had T and H for a couple of months.

In your case: keep declining those invitations (for now) and maybe in the future you'll be able to rejoin the living (because recovery).

@Damocles about how long should I lay low? I have no idea what's safe and what isn't, and how long to try and baby my ears for. Everything seems dangerous now, I just read about how my sensitive teeth toothpaste might be causing these painful eardrum-thumping spikes?? Thanks a ton for your advice, I hope recovery is possible

Can it go away even this far out? The sound physically hurts.

Hell yes it can. One of many examples: https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/extreme-hyperacusis-and-tinnitus-have-improved-over-the-past-2-5-years.29268/

@Cory_ Thank you very much for the thread. My tinnitus is I think probably mild so I keep praying it will go away. It is not a ringing but a tsst. tsst. tsst. I don't know if that affects things. :(

I can only confirm what @blamingeverything said. I'm 5 months in and I still struggle but i'm in a much, MUCH better place than in the first 2-3 months. I had really dark thoughts and I think the only thing that kept me alive was my mother, I cried every day endlessly thinking my life was over being 21. It will take some time but it's going to get better, I assure you

Two months is NOTHING when it comes to recovering from hyperacusis.

@Cory_ That's true. I'm not worried about hyperacusis at all honestly because I know I can overcome it. In the meantime it's just difficult and frustrating trying to avoid things that are too much and slowly expose myself to more. It's the tinnitus that terrifies me.

Is there anyone you can go to or anything to figure out how to put earplugs in? I've never done it before and I've read about eardrums rupturing. No insurance for me so :( thank you very much for your kind words. My mom just got mad at me again for saying her crunching carrots was setting off my t and h and I need to leave. She gets extremely mad at me. It's hard to keep going.

Foam earplugs? You're supposed to twizzle them up, slip them in and let them expand. Take them out slowly, letting the air escape from behind. Do not yank them out - I hurt my eardrums that way a bunch of times with them before T+H.

@Cory_ I got Eargasm earplugs and tried looking up videos for how to do it, but it's all hidden behind a guy's hands what is happening haha. I am wondering how people even get them in and out, especially since in photos I see they seem to put them super deep inside. Thank you for the advice on the foam earplugs! I didn't know about having to pace taking them out.

I feel like this, fuck it though, I still bang on about it. One day they will get so fed up if my constant chat, they will be forced to quiet down.

Me too! I have a blood flow issue. I have venous stenosis of the lateral transverse sinuses in my head caused by intracranial pressure. I’m waiting for a stent to see if that will help. We got really lucky, having these issues and T & H on top! ;)

Aaaaaa man I really hope the stent helps you!! The idea of it is scary to me, but hopefully it will really help you out! How did you find that stuff out btw, if you don't mind me asking? They told me to go to the hospital when I had an eye stroke but I don't have insurance, so GP took a guess and then did a $770 CT scan that came back clean.

They say an MRA & MRV are best for diagnosing vascular issues. They are very loud though, so might not be the best for you right now.

There is always hope

Even though it may not seem like it in the beginning.

fingers crossed.