@Taylorslay ,
By constantly asking questions about hyperacusis you are not helping yourself
Michael is correct. This will not help, and searching the internet will only in crease your anxiety. Statistics like the 10%-20% failure rate Michael mentioned in his last response can be disheartening, especially in the wording itself, which is subtle but makes a difference, That number would seem far more positive is stated "The success rate is between 80%-90%". Same data, different presentation. You also have to consider that people are far more likely to complain than to praise. You are quite young, so I am guessing that if you have had a job (and you are young, so if you have not yet, that is not a bad thing) you probably have either worked in retail or in food service. If you have (and I am sure others on this forum will back me up here) how often have you seen or heard of a customer complaining about something or someone, now compare that to how often you have seen or heard of customer praising something of someone. I am going to guess that, if you have ever witnessed a customer asking to speak to the manager to tell him/her how great a job someone did, or hoe pleased they were with the product or service, those instances will be overshadowed at least ten to one, if not 100 to 1 by negative comments or feedback. People who are content are just that, content, and usually feel no need to express that because things went the way they expected.
This holds true for internet postings on most subjects. If someone feels like something is wrong, bad, poor quality, etc.. they are far more motivated to complain, loudly, publicly, and as often as they can because they are (let's assume only good intentions for this discussion) are trying to address a problem. You need to consider the 100:1 ratio of negative to positive feedback/postings, etc.. when processing any information you come across on the internet.
Even in this forum (which is filled with many helpful people) has a high ratio of negative posts, but that is to be expected as we all joined because we, or someone we care about, is suffering with tinnitus and associated afflictions (such as hyperacusis). We, especially when we first join, are usually frightened, depressed, often suicidal, and desperate, and that will come out in the messages, specifically because we were/are seeking help.
My family thinks I'm nuts. They genuinely think I have a mental problem.
Sadly, that is common. I have found that, unless someone has experienced tinnitus, and I will assume hyperacusis, they generally cannot sympathize or understand just how debilitating it is. This is because they have no frame of reference. I was asked once "What is is like to be an identical twin?", I responded "What is it like to not be one?". I could not answer that question asked to me because that is all I have known, I have never experienced not being a twin. Your family cannot understand "What is it like having tinnitus and hyperacusis" because they have never experienced it. And, because they have absolutely no concept of what you are experiencing, they think you are "nuts".
And, most people do not try to understand (I have had one person try, I do not normally refer to my own posts, but so not repeat that here, this is that story "
A Friend Trying to Understand") . There are a couple websites listed there (
https://www.soundrelief.com/tinnitus/sounds-tinnitus/ ,
http://www.szynalski.com/tone-generator/ ) that I was able to use to create a reasonable facsimile of my tinnitus, perhaps you may be able to do the same for yours and help them understand part of what you are experiencing. I do not suffer from hyperacusis so, unfortunately, I have no ideas on how to help your family understand that.
I'm 17 legally I'm still a minor and under the restrictions of my parents here in the United States.
The good news in that on your next birthday, you will be free from that restriction and may be able to get the treatment you need, although I hope that they will be able to understand what you are experiencing ling before that so you do not have to wait.
Sorry for the long response, I hope something in the small novel above helps. If nothing else, hang in there, it will get better and it will get easier, it will take some time, but it will get better. And, we are here to help you through this. We know you are not "nuts", and we understand what you are going through.
Take care and please keep us updated on your progress.
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