Living with Hyperacusis and Tinnitus

Recommendations about hearing tests

quarternote — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:53:55 +0000

“So few doctors know anything about our condition, we rarely get good advice and frequently hearing tests are administered to us which can make our condition even worse ( MRI or Brainstem Evoke test).

Before any hearing tests are performed on a patient who is suspected to have hyperacusis, their Loudness Discomfort Levels (LDL’s) should be known. If the sounds generated from the test exceed the LDL of the hyperacusis patient, their sound tolerance can become further collapsed (worsened). This would be unfortunate.”

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My hyperacusis: hearing tests administered

quarternote — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 14:48:37 +0000

The following were the hearing tests administered to me when my hyperacusis got worse:

- Pure-Tone audiometric test

- Speech audiometric test

- Logo-audiometric test

- Tympanometric test

- Acoustic reflex test

Results to all these tests were normal, and in many cases above average, which indicated that my auditory capacity was ok. The specialist was very surprised and told me that my ability to hear sounds was similar to that of a 5 years old child.

My hyperacusis: first treatments performed

quarternote — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:42:54 +0000

The following were the treatments tried when my hyperacusis became severe in 2006 Read more:

1^st week of October 2006

Specialist: Otorhinolaryngologist

Diagnosis: The problem is in the Eustachian Tubes

Prescription: Prednizone 20mg (1 a pill at breakfast

and 1 at lunch, for 7 days)

Effect: None (my condition got worse)

Desperate searching to treat my hyperacusis

quarternote — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:52:25 +0000

Since my condition was getting worse more and more, and since noises still bothered me even when wearing ear protection, my family began desperately to look for a specialist who could know about hyperacusis and tinnitus.

A text with the description of my case (hyperacusis by acoustic trauma) was printed, in order to take it to those doctors who did not want to see me at home.

How to fit earplugs and earmuffs

quarternote — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:16:33 +0000

To see a video with a good explanation about this matter, please click here.

My hyperacusis and tinnitus: The beginning of “hell” - 3/3

quarternote — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 18:00:19 +0000

Hyperacusis (second part)

I had to stop working completely. My sensitivity to sounds prevented me from listening to music, watching TV (with sound), nor even using the computer, which produced a sound that was hurtful when its fan went on. I couldn’t use the microwave, nor even stand close to the refrigerator when its fan was running.

When I was exposed to these sounds the bussing increased so much that it was painful. Sometimes, when I a high frequency occurred (like a telephone ring), my ears produced immediately, one or more repetition of that sound, like an echo.

My hyperacusis and tinnitus: The beginning of “hell” - 2/3

quarternote — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:00:49 +0000

Hyperacusis

The sensitivity to noise and sounds in general remained at a high level, reason for which I attempted to protect myself by using foam earplugs. I used this protection throughout the day, because in the house that I live in (third floor) there were constant noises coming from the floors bellow, from the neighbors and from the street. Besides, there was constant air traffic.

My hyperacusis and tinnitus: The beginning of “hell” - 1/3

quarternote — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:57:35 +0000

When I returned to my country I was in a much better shape. My sensibility and buzzing had reduced considerably. However, the next year (2005), following another acute exposure to sound, which took place at my house, the buzzing and my sensitivity problems returned.

In 2006, following several unexpected exposures to high sounds due to my musical activity, and also because of the extremely loud noise in the street, my situation worsened considerably in only 7 months, becoming a severe condition.

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Hyperacusis and Tinnitus: An unexpected recovery

quarternote — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:09:49 +0000

In 2004 I got a scholarship to study korean language and culture in Seoul (South Korea) for four months.

When I left my country I was using earplugs, but when I returned I had already stopped wearing them.

What it had happened was …

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Before my hyperacusis and tinnitus got worse

quarternote — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:09:31 +0000

After having the acoustic accident in 1992, I began using ear protection, not only due to the doctor (E.N.T.) advice, but also because the loud noises bothered me and caused my tinnitus become increased.

Lacking of adequate directions, I decided to wear earplug throughout the day.

I used to wear specially foam earplugs, and used to cut them in half. Some times, due to the constant use of them I got an irritation in the ear canal. When that happened I changed the earplug by new ones.

When I was in the street my worst problems were car, bus and truck horns or alarms, as well as ambulance and fire engine sirens, or travelling salesman bugles and megaphones.

At home my problems were with the other people who lived with me because of the noise they produced. On the other hand the weeping of my little son was also extremely bothersome.

When I failed to avoid loud sounds, a relapse happened to me …

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