Hyperacusis help!

[MrBrewer]

Hey guys

I’ve been diagnosed with neuropathic pain in my ears. Hyperacusis and tinnitus is part and then I also have extreme sensitivity to touch on my ears as well as regular shooting/burning pain.

I’ve been pretty isolated because of it these last few months and I’m looking to see if anyone has advise on specific ear defenders (perhaps a brand or where to buy them) - where the cups are large enough not to touch the ears themselves. Any advice would be appreciated!

[rabbits65]

Good morning Mr Brewer,I’m sorry to read of your great discomfort . Burning and shooting etc must be difficult to contemplate. My mother had some Ear defenders for her Hyperacusis. which she used occasionally , she told my sister and I that they were not a lot of help.

I now have bad tinnitus and slight hyperacusis and I won’t use any of those ear plugs or defenders .

You might as well give them a try, you’ve got nothing to lose. 😊

[MrBrewer in reply to rabbits65]

Thanks. I’m sorry to hear about your tinnitus and hyperacusis. It’s a horrible thing. Did your mother say why she didn’t find they helped?

[rabbits65 in reply to MrBrewer]

Hello again,Well I can’t remember to be honest . My mother passed away two years ago now , she really suffered badly with it. Couldn’t have any sound on TV at all, could barely stand the sound of voices even and if we went out it was unbearable for her. My hyperacusis is mild compared to what mum suffered . My tinnitus is much worse than the hyperacusis, I’m habituating quite well to it all now and very great thanks to this forum site. It’s marvellous help to me .

Good luck to you .

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Dear Mr Brewer

Thank you for sharing your experience of hyperacusis and tinnitus.

Our advice as an organization would be to avoid using ear defenders unless you are in a setting where the volume levels are likely to be over the 85dB threshold - our Plug 'Em campaign has advice on safe levels of volume exposure which you can find here: plugem.co.uk/how-loud-is-loud/

If you're looking to get support with hyperacusis and tinnitus from an NHS or Private hospital service, the British Association of Audio-Vestibular Physicians have a very helpful list of specialists within the UK: baap.org.uk/uploads/1/1/9/7...

Our own information sheet on hyperacusis can be found on our website: tinnitus.org.uk/hyperacusis

With best wishes

Pat

BTA Forum Team

[MrBrewer in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

Thank you. I don’t plan on wearing them around the house as I know constant use can make it worse! But right now I can’t leave the house with the pain so they seem like they only option to ease myself back into society

[bournville]

Hi I have had hyperacusis for the last few years it arrived with my tinnitus in a 2 for the price of one deal.

The headphones I use are the “peltor X5a” for dealing with v noisy stuff - drills, garden equipment etc. For day to day stuff like going into a noisy bar or restaurant then I have some discreet moulded earplugs from “ACS” get the minus 27db ones or the totals bocks. For a quick fix the “Hearoes Xtreme“ foam earplugs from Amazon are good.

I should add it’s really important that only use the earphones and plugs in absolutely necessary circumstances as they can make your T more sensitive if you over use them.

Please keep in your mind that It should naturally improve or even go entirely - mine took about 9 months to a year to improve massively.

I found it very hard to get advice If I can help in any way please ask - I don’t know if there is a way to do private messages on here.

[MrBrewer in reply to bournville]

Thanks for the advice Bournville!