Hypercusis strange fact

[Billo1]

Hi all , thanks for your comments to a separate thread. Another thing I wanted to mention is slight hypercusis. I don’t seem to be affected in loud noise environments with music, people talking loudly etc. but a slight clash of dishes or cutlery seems to affect me. Any clues why this might be? I have experienced this for a few months now and I am getting used to it but it’s still rather annoying … I have had T for 8 months but I have noticed hypercusis more recently . I know they often go hand in hand … yet to read this book and I hope it will help my understanding if nothing else

[rabbits65]

Yes i believe that there is different degrees/levels of hyperacusis and of course tinnitus . I have both . Now my mother ( whose now passed). She had this hyperacusis very very badly and couldn’t even take any noise whatsoever. No TV No talking , No clattering of washing up , she couldn’t even take us talking to her . She couldn’t go out because of it. She had NO tinnitus . Now I have tinnitus severely and htperacusis slightly . Don’t think there is any particular definition of any of this . All I can say is “ it’s all awful “. I’m learning to accept my lot 😂 😂 😂

[Billo1 in reply to rabbits65]

Sad to read about your mum rabbit65. Must be an awful condition - I am trying not to make mine worse by not developing an adverse response to the sounds that seem to be triggering my (fortunately mild) hypercusis - easier said than done though … thanks for your comments .

[rabbits65 in reply to Billo1]

Best wishes to you. 😊

[1966366 in reply to rabbits65]

Hiya Rabbit, just seen your post on the mother and I am interested in knowing for what length of time did the poor lady suffer with hyperacusis? I found it incredibly difficult to get my head around such an extremely bothersome, painful time for her. I hope it wasn't insufferably long like years? I suffer intermittently with hyperacusis and it is bad enough to ruin days and days, but thankfully it eventually disappears and I am just left with the annoying T. To end on a brighter note: Your remark 'it' s all awful ' did bring a small smile to my face! What a fantastic understatement if ever I read one. All the very best x

[rabbits65 in reply to 1966366]

Hi. 1966366, That’s kind of you to think of my mothers suffering . At the time , she also had the start of onset dementia . She lived on Bexhill sea front and we used to go along the front to the cafe for a cup of tea and we couldn’t go at all because even the sound of people pulling the chairs out from the table was a nightmare. When I did her washing up at the kitchen sink she used to say, “ I’ve got to go out of here it sounds like bombs going off “. I should say it was about two years time scale she suffered . In the end her dementia got worse , she had to go into a home. She died aged 95 . At the time I had no tinnitus . Mine started about 18 months ago . I’m learning to live with it . It’s like having a fan oven on in your head or imagine some sort of electricity going all the time. I do not have the hyperacusis anywhere near as bad as my mother but as you say it’s really difficult and your trying to control it . Do you find sometimes you have a feeling as if your trapped inside your own body . I’m ok with the TV ? My mother couldn’t cope with any sound whatsoever. How I miss my dear mum. But I’m glad she’s not suffering anymore. 😊

[1966366 in reply to rabbits65]

Lovely post, Rabbit. Thanks so much. Two years is long enough to be suffering from hyperacusis so intrusive and I am very sure that you do miss your dear ma, but I think that she had suffered enough and is now resting peaceful. A point that you make that confuses me is when you say 'it's like having a fan oven on in your head' ; isn't that the T? It describes mine perfectly, 24/7 a non-stop drone or constant brain activity. Whereas my hyperacusis is very exaggerated noise. A recent example of this is, Iwas walking along a canal and suddenly all I could hear was very hard, rapid, high-pitched 'clicks'. It seemed so close to me like it was on my shoulder. When I turned around I saw a young lady maybe 20 metres or more from me wearing high heels and walking quickly! And pulling chairs out from under a table is another bloody nightmare!

[rabbits65 in reply to 1966366]

Good morning 1966366,Yes I was describing my T . which is a continuous loud hum and it’s not too bad laying in bed but as soon as I walk about pressure builds up like a fan oven noise . If you go into different environments , like shops , cafe, exercise studios for example then the hyperacusis kicks in too !!!! Actually I’m trying to find the humour of it to try and reduce the stress as they say Tinnitus feeds on our stress. As you say hyperacusis isn’t there all the time. It just joins in the merry band of sounds !!!!! I would like to go back to swimming , I’ve not been back since before Covid . Goodness knows what the water will sound like , I know the shower is ok but if I have a bath it is very echoeee !!!!!

[1966366 in reply to rabbits65]

OK, thanks for the explanation. I find swimming a brilliant outlet for reducing stress, and rarely have any major issues with the 'other stuff'. Go on, Rabbit, I am daring you to get the bikini from the cupboard and make a plunge! I think /hope you will enjoy it immensely!

[rabbits65 in reply to 1966366]

Haha. 😂 😂. No bikini I’m afraid . Those days have been and gone. !!! ( I’m 69). From Penny. 🐩 🐩. Poodles walking I keep active with my dogs . Helps the. T immensely

[PABLR]

The book looks interesting and I have the same kind of issues; hearing loss and tinnitus permanently and react to certain noises. For me it's cutlery, crockery, pans, throat clearing, sometimes laughter. Never quite sure what it's going to me, but it can really make me jump!

[Billo1 in reply to PABLR]

Hi PABLR, yes really weird isn’t it. I’ll let you know if the book is any good after I have read it , in case you wish to buy it too . I think it was less than a fiver …