Hyperacusis? Need Some Advice Please

[irishLondon]

Hey guys,

It's my first post on here. I developed tinnitus about 15 months ago. The first few months were a nightmare but gradually my reaction to the sound got better to the point where it is still there but it doesn't bother me too much anymore.

But in the last few weeks, after quite a stressful time, I seem to have become really sensitive to sounds that never bothered me before. Like washing the dishes, the TV, sometimes even taking a shower. It's not pain as such but it is uncomfortable. I also sometimes have a fullness and fluttering in my ears.

Does anyone have experience of this? Or what to do about it? I'm trying to continue without ear protection but i'm finding it though

Thanks
Conor

 

[gary]

Hey guys,

It's my first post on here. I developed tinnitus about 15 months ago. The first few months were a nightmare but gradually my reaction to the sound got better to the point where it is still there but it doesn't bother me too much anymore.

But in the last few weeks, after quite a stressful time, I seem to have become really sensitive to sounds that never bothered me before. Like washing the dishes, the TV, sometimes even taking a shower. It's not pain as such but it is uncomfortable. I also sometimes have a fullness and fluttering in my ears.

Does anyone have experience of this? Or what to do about it? I'm trying to continue without ear protection but i'm finding it though

Thanks
Conor

Hi Conor, welcome to the site. Have you see your Dr. or an ENT if not, you need to do that first and see what he/she has to say. Keep us posted on your condition...

 

[Per]

I've written several posts on my H condition here on the forum and others have too, a forum search on the word hyperacusis gave me this result: https://www.tinnitustalk.com/search/798183/?q=hyperacusis&o=date&c[node]=2

Also check out http://www.hyperacusis.net/

 

[SueR]

my story is similar to Conor's. First signs of tinnitus about 1.5 yrs ago, now, all of a sudden, I started having sensitivity to noises. I've been to my PCP who GLANCED in my ear, no infection, but referred me to an ENT who also GLANCED in my ear, and did a hearing test. duh, coulda told him I would "pass" that before even taking it!

the test (beeps thru headphones and the bone vibrating thing) gave me a huge headache.

The doc just said probably tinnitus and over time I won't even notice. I want a second opinion, by someone who specializes in hyperacusis. I've pretty much isolated myself from everyone, this is Day 22, and think this is more than just the run-of-the-mill tinnitus... checkbox, next patient please.

The doc I saw was an ENT from Mass Eye and Ear, so I expected expertise. I don't know if it's hyperacusis or not, but I think it's worth a second look. I was really surprised doc didn't do a tympanogram. it's such an easy test. (my hearing impaired son has had a lot of them.)

I'm googling like crazy trying to find a specialist in my state that has experience with hyperacusis. anyone know where I can find such a doc?

Thx!

 

[Per]

@SueR,

I'm not from the states but I'm gonna comment anyways. I have T&H and did a threshold test at an audiologist, same person that did the traditional hearing test. I would expect the same people to do those test over there. White noise treatment is a common response when dealing with H. Some common facts:

- Don't protect yourself too much against environmental noise cause it can make you even more hypersensitive.

- H is "easier" to treat than T.

- A lot of people with H experience substantial improvement by time (6-12 months)

- Around 40% of people with T have H as well

 

[SueR]

Thank you for your reply, Per. One person did comment on the earplugs, so won't be doing that except in more dire circumstances. Right now, my H (if that is in fact what I have) is really bothersome. The T is nothing. Such a quiet buzzing that it doesn't bother me much at all.

now I just need to convince the docs to evaluate me for H.

If I know this is temporary, I can deal with that a whole lot better than "forever"... even if that temp = a year.

What concerns me is that the ENT I saw brushed me off, and he's from Mass Eye and Ear... supposedly the leaders in all things ENT!

I look forward to mornings, as that is when the H is the least bothersome. I think of it as noise "activates" my ear parts. I don't know all the terms yet, so I describe as best I can. I hear a low-pitch hum, but that's it. Then I go to the bathroom and flush the toilet and wash my hands and it starts in. By end of day, I've had it. Today I had to go to the post office and the grocery store. stressful.

(okay, so I'm venting a little... I'm new to this!)

 

[yonkapin]

Just wanted to also add that hyperacusis does definitely have a very good chance of resolving by itself, it just takes a long while sometimes. I think it's quite rare for hyperacusis to be truly chronic. Avoid exposing yourself to ridiculous amounts of loudness and take it slow, give your ears plenty of rest but don't over-protect them from everyday sounds.

I'm sure you'll be able to find an audiologist or ENT who is knowledgeable about hyperacusis in your area, just keep googling and calling up different clinics and asking about it specifically before booking an appointment. You'll probably have more luck finding an audiologist who is familiar with hyperacusis and TRT, than an ENT, at least that's what I found in my experience.

 

[SueR]

Oh thank god! here I'm thinking this is life-long and the training is just habituation (new word I learned!)

well, this evening, I emailed my son's audiologist. I guess it pays to already know an audiologist?? (My son has a hearing impairment, probably since birth, but dx'ed about 5yo)

Thank you for the advice. I think I saw a post of yours about not protecting too much and took my earplug right out! I'll work on every-day noises to begin with.

 

[Karen]

Hi, Sue,

Here's a link to an excellent article about hyperacusis from the British Tinnitus Association:
http://www.tinnitus.org.uk/hyperacusis

I wish you success in finding a good audiologist in your area. I agree that you'll probably have better luck with an audiologist than with an ENT.

I don't have hyperacusis, but I do have the same experience that you do, where the tinnitus is calmest in the morning, and gets worse later in the day. My tinnitus and ear sensitivity have both gotten so much better with time; I'm hoping that yours will, too!

Best wishes,
Karen