Making a Loudspeaker Sound Less 'Sharp'

Loudspeakers are a problem for me with my hyperacusis.

My TV, my mobile phone, playing video games; it can be seriously uncomfortable.

Is there are way to adjust the loudspeaker (not the controls) in order to take the sharpness/edge off the sound, in particular with the higher frequencies?

What about putting flat pad of cotton wool over the speaker to muffle the sound a bit?

What about, with a 2-way speaker system, disconnecting the tweeters?

 

I guess an equalizer would be able to do that. If you're using Realtek™ Audio Drivers on your PC, there should be a dedicated control panel where the equalizer can be tuned. This may, however, not be enough.

I think getting some good earplugs is a better idea. I usually listen to audio softly using my custom molded high fidelity earplugs, with 9 dB filters.

 

I was going to hop on this thread as I've been having a hard time listening to music (which is one of my favorite things to do) with my newfound ear issues.

Good idea, I'll try the earplugs with low filters once I get them!

 

Hi Jupiterman,

Stacken's suggestion on using earplugs with filters is a good idea. This way external sound will be reduced but sound quality will not be degraded compared to using the other methods you have mentioned.

You are in the very early stages of noise induced tinnitus which usually improves with time. For this to happen it is important that you don't overuse the wearing of noise reducing earplugs, because there is the risk of lowering the loudness threshold of the auditory system which will make your ears more sensitive to sound. It needs to be treated using sound therapy and one of the best is normal everyday sounds.

Therefore, overusing earplugs and deliberately avoiding normal everyday sounds is not recommended. This is covered in more detail in my post below titled, Hyperacusis, As I See It.

When you have time go to my started threads and read: How to Habituate to Tinnitus, The Habituation Process, Will My Tinnitus Get Worse? Tinnitus and The Negative Mindset, Acquiring a Positive Mindset, Tinnitus, a Personal View, New To Tinnitus, What To Do?

I advise that you start using low level sound enrichment during the day and especially at night. More about this is explained in my threads. If you are using any type of headphones even at low volume, my advice is not to use them. This applies to earbuds, headsets, AirPods, noise cancelling and bone conduction headphones, as your tinnitus and hyperacusis could be made worse.

All the best,
Michael

Hyperacusis, As I See It | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum

 

I have found that adjusting the equaliser makes no difference. I think the problem, for me, is the loudspeakers themselves. I think speakers let out a 'hum' regardless of settings.

I'm trying, as Michael has pointed out in numerous of his well written posts, to minimise use of earplugs, particularly at home.

I wouldn't mind the reduction in sound quality if it meant I didn’t need to plug my ears. I'd like my auditory system to hear other sounds going on in the room at their proper level (e.g., opening door, operating recliner sofa, walking around etc) in order to aid the recalibration of my dynamic range and loudness levels (as Michael points out) to hopefully resolve my hyperacusis (to some extent anyway).

I've just ordered some cotton wool roll. Will let you know how this goes.

If this works, I could perhaps try a loudspeaker sound generator that produces sounds of rain and trains etc.

 

Hi Jupiterman,

With all due respect, you are expecting too much far too soon. You need to calm down and take things slowly because recovering from noise induced tinnitus with or without hyperacusis cannot be rushed, otherwise you are setting yourself up for failure and disappointment. To prevent this from happening you need to understand what has happened to you and what needs to be done so you are able to successfully habituate.

Print my articles that I have advised you read and take your time to read them. This way you will absorb and retrain the information much better than reading on your phone or computer screen. Refer to them often as this will instil and reinforce positive thinking, which one of the most important requirements in the habituation process and beyond.

I don't think using cotton wool in the manner you describe is a good idea but it's your choice. If I were in your situation, I would follow the advice I have been given. Use noise reducing earplugs for a while when listening to music through speakers. Keep the volume low and give your ears and auditory system time to recover. Please note, this can take many months, not weeks.

I wish you well,
Michael

 

I can't give much advice for phone speakers, but for music and TV, invest in a high-quality 3 speaker system. You want bookshelf or tower speakers, no satellite speaker systems or "home theater in a box" setups. Speakers with soft dome tweeters will be less bright sounding than ones with aluminum or ribbon tweeters. Those Klipsch speakers that you see all over Best Buy have aluminum tweeters.

 

Buy a UAD or RME sound card/interface. Run through your speakers through the soundcard. In your soundcard software/console, you can run your signal through a processing chain, such as an equaliser. From there you can tame the frequencies you want.