Is this hyperacusis

[Michael8272]

Hi, I have been posting on here the last few months but I haven't been diagnosed yet with hyperacusis and e.n.t hadn't a clue.i think I do and readying posts on here I'm just not sure.i have no pain with noise,clinking plates together don't cause any problems,main problems are electrical items like air conditioning units,central heating,fridges,computer fans,I get a awful noise from them like a high pitch droning noise.does anyone else get this.

Thanks

[Hidden]

HI Michael,

The ear is a very delicate and sophisticated organ. The best treatment for tinnitus including hyperacusis if it is present, is to do nothing in the early stages, providing there are no additional symptoms are experienced. These are: Dizziness, balance problems, deafness, acute pain in the ears.

I see that you have been examined at ENT and tests were done. Therefore, I advise you to leave things as they are and hopefully, in time things will settle down and your auditory system will reset to normal. The sensitivity to sounds that you are experiencing at the moment could be hyperacusis. However, the recent microsuction procedure that you had may have caused this. If ear-oil isn't applied 3 times a day to each ear for 7 to 10 days, and the wax completely softened, complications as you describe may result after microsuction has been done.

Microsuction is usually quite safe and the best method to remove earwax especially when it has become compacted. This was explained to me by my consultant, who is an Audiovestibular physician. However, the ear-oil must be applied in the manner I've mentioned to help prevent any problems as I've indicated.

I advise you to leave things as they are and try not to worry. I also advise that you don't use headphones even at low volume. If after 6 months you are still having problems then talk to your GP and ask for a referral to ENT for more tests and probably a referral to a Hearing Therapist.

It might be a good idea to start using sound enrichment especially at night. Please go to my profile page and read my posts on sound enrichment. There are other posts that you might find helpful.

All the best

Michael

[Michael8272 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Michael, I appreciate reply,do you think it could be the microsuction even if the sensitivity didn't start until 2 weeks after the procedure.i'm mentally draining but when I read other posts I think that atleast I have no pain with noise I hear.when I had microsuction I used oil for the affected ear.when the man doing the procedure looked in my right ear he said I had wax in it aswel and he could take out wax without oil,so let him go ahead.he did say after he took it out that my ear was a bit inflamed were wax was removed.i shouldn't have let him do it,as I'll probably never recover now from this sensitivity.

[Hidden in reply to Michael8272]

HI Michael.

As I've explained the ears are very delicate. Some people have microsuction without using eardrops/olive oil in the manner I've stated and have no problems. This isn't a good idea as microsuction is a noisy procedure and in my opinion, can be abrasive and irritate the ear whilst the wax is removed. I have had microsuction 3 times without any problems but applied eardrops 3 times a day to each ear for 10days prior to having the wax removed.

It is difficult to say whether the microsuction caused your sensitivity to sound, but my opinion is this. Since the wax was removed without it being softened with eardrops, I believe it has caused some irritation and is probably responsible for the sensitivity you are presently experiencing. One cannot prove this of course. I am basing my opinion on people that I've corresponded with that have had problems with microsuction when the wax hasn't been softened with eardrops. Three times a day applied to each ear for 7 to 10 days before having it removed.

Please keep in mind, the same thing can happen with ear irrigation at the GP surgery or using a curette to manually remove the wax. It is imperative that eardrops are used in the manner I've stated, to reduce complications whatever method of earwax removal is used.

Hope you start of feel better soon.

Michael