Earplug-Induced Hyperacusis

Hello TT members!

I've heard and seen all over the place not to "overprotect" due to the possibility that this could lead to sensitivity to loud sounds and H. Has this happened to anyone? Musicians wear ear plugs every day and I've never heard of one developing H! Is it just that wearing them out into the general world could cause this? It's scary to think that I can protect myself by wearing the plugs to loud bars on the weekends, but also develop H if they're worn too much?

Any advice is much appreciated!

 

I doubt earplugs cause anything. I think using them only makes your existing hyperacusis more noticeable when you take them out.

 

@PaulBe yeah i agree. I had hyperacusis when I first got T and since then I have gradually introduced myself back to normal sounds and feel a lot better. I don't think wearing plugs will give you H but may just exasperate the problem if you already have it.

 

There are people who have H who say they got it from constantly wearing earplugs. Using them in a loud bar will not give you H, it is sensible to do that. The musicians that do most likely only wear them on stage. Just use them where the volume is so loud you need to shout to hold a conversation.

 

What about loud restaurants and sporting events? Wondering if anyone that has gotten H from wearing plugs too much could come forward?

 

I came across somebody who got it from constantly sleeping in them.
But a short spell at a very noisy event is sensible. Look it another way, if you attend those sort of events (not restaurants) without plugs you will most likely getting hearing damage and develop T and maybe H.

 

It just seems very "damned if you do, damned if you don't!"

 

I wouldn't agree damned if you do only where necessary. Just don't use them in safe environments

 

Is a movie theatre or a loud restaurant considered safe?

 

Movie theaters definitely aren't safe anymore.

 

And theater owners wonder why attendance is down.

A theater near me keeps the volume in the low 70 decibel range. Interestingly, it is one of the highest-grossing theaters in the U.S.

 

I'm wondering if this was a myth all along. That what earplugs really cause is TTTS because the heart beat sounds and all the creaking sounds caused by contact between the plugs and the eardrums are in fact pretty noisy, especially if you sleep on them. They certainly are a lot noisier for me, but I notice it because every sound shift causes a TTTS symptom in me. And doctors may have not noticed because they're not aware of this ironic fact.

 

It's theoretically possible that overuse of earplugs might weaken any natural defenses against loud sounds, leaving one susceptible.

 

Ironically, they aren't aware of many facts.

 

Yep...

didn't go for a Nissen a few months ago, despite being recommended by stomach docs for reflux
went on a yogurt binge thats partially cured my reflux
yogurts have probiotics, but not many and they're greasy and sugary
suspect its intestinal bacterial imbalance and I'll go on probiotics
none of the stomach doctors know about this ofc, and they deny its existence

so yep...

 

Doctors get no dietary education whatsoever in this country.