Skiing with Hyperacusis and Tinnitus

[simon225]

I'm going skiing in January, and I have mild hyperacusis. The main things I struggle with are the sound of wind and the scraping noise of skis on very hard or icy snow.

I've tried earplugs, but occlusion makes things worse for me, and I end up feeling vibrations in my head much more strongly. A standard ski mask didn't help much either, since it didn't block the wind very well.

I'm not looking to ski in silence, just to take the edge off the wind and harsh high frequency sounds without increasing occlusion. If anyone here has found something that helped, such as specific masks, wind blockers, or other practical solutions, I'd really appreciate hearing about your experience.

 

[Maruashen]

Hi again. Doesn't the helmet block out enough wind noise? Apart from that, I'd say the next step would be earplugs, ideally large foam ones that you can insert deeply.

The further you insert the earplugs, the less occlusion effect they create. The same applies to earmuffs. If you have larger cups, they tend to create less occlusion, while smaller cups usually create more. There are studies on this.

 

[simon225]

Thanks for your replies. I really appreciate it.

Unfortunately, my helmet only blocks a small amount of sound. I used my otoplasties. I am not sure if that is the correct term in English, but I mean custom made hearing protection for my ears. The occlusion was very noticeable, especially when you fall. It feels like a hammer pounding inside your head.

Are you sure foam earplugs would reduce this effect? Thanks for your advice anyway.

 

[Maruashen]

It is difficult for me to explain this without being able to draw it, but this is how it works.

The occlusion effect is essentially caused by sound waves originating inside the body that bounce within the ear canal. People usually experience it while talking, eating, or, as in your case, skiing, which can be quite bumpy and harsh on the bone structure.

To reduce the occlusion effect, you want either a very small space that prevents sound waves from bouncing or a very large space that allows them room to dissipate. The strongest occlusion effect occurs when the space is somewhere in between. What does this mean in practice?

If you use earplugs, you want them inserted as deeply as possible to create a very small area for sound waves to bounce. The worst option is to have them sitting far out, where they mainly seal the ear canal. This creates a large internal space, allowing sound to bounce extensively inside the canal.

Sometimes molded earplugs do not sit very deep, which leaves a lot of room for the occlusion effect. In those cases, foam earplugs can work better, provided they are inserted correctly. If they are not inserted properly, the benefit is minimal. In summary, it is not the foam material itself that reduces the effect, but how far the plug is inserted. With molded earplugs, there is usually only one insertion depth. Still, inserting a foam plug too deeply generally does not cause harm, so caution is advised.

If you use earmuffs, choose ones with large ear cups. A larger internal volume gives sound waves more space to bounce around, which reduces the occlusion effect. Small earmuffs with limited internal space can significantly increase the decibel level reaching your eardrums.

 

[kingsfan]

Very deeply inserted foam earplugs are probably the best you'll be able to do. Roll 'em up real tight a put them in as deep as you can. There should only be a tiny sliver that you can grab with your fingernails to remove. You may need something like a very light coating of Oto-Ease if you have difficulty getting them in that deep.

No other type of hearing protection will match the minimal occlusion of foam earplugs.