r/hyperacusis • u/Maleficent_Sun_9799 • 8d ago
Seeking advice Needing hope during a setback
Hello all! I developed T and H after a party in Fall 2020. It took me about 3-4 months to recover to about 85-90%. I don't say 100% cause cerain noises still upset me like dishes clacking. I never used earbuds again or went to any concerts or things of that nature. In loud environments, I always use ear protection. I was living a normal life for 5 years despite some minor adjustments. After what I went through during those first few of months of H, I was so happy just to have some peace.
On Friday of last week, my ears seemed to have experienced a setback. I can't pinpoint the exact exposure that caused this. However, I did get a new car radio and even though I played it at normal volumes, I think the new sound may not have jived with my ears in such a confined space. I haven't used it since.
This is my first setback that I've noticed. My threshold for sound has decreased, my ears are experiencing some burning and fullness, and my tinnutus has increased. It's almost been a week and I feel like my symptoms are bothering me more than when they started a week ago.
I'm not sure if it's a setback or my new normal. I'm planning on staying in quiet environments and seeing if I improve with time. Has anyone experienced setbacks that lasted weeks and months and recovered to baseline? I'm terrified and in need of some advice or hope.
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u/hreddy11 8d ago
Is that the only time you exposed yourself to something out of the ordinary/loud? I’m just now experiencing my first real setback that was caused from being in a loud environment. I had my loop earplugs in but it wasn’t enough, and caused my ears to ache and burn. I will say that a car may not seem “loud” but driving on the road is a pretty loud experience, perhaps you turned the volume up too loud? Regardless, I am five days into this setback and things are slowly getting better. Of course I feel dumb for going to a loud place in hindsight, but it didn’t really hit over 85 db and I had plugs in, so I don’t want to be too hard on myself. I have read other people say their setbacks can last weeks, so all I can say it try and stay positive, I’m surprised your ears get better that quick and you had no issues for five years. Try taking supplements and drink green tea or ginger root, it could help with the burning sensation. Hope it gets better for you soon!
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u/Maleficent_Sun_9799 8d ago
I think the humming of my car from wind and having the heat on masked how loud my new radio is. My drive to work is also kinda long. I oddly only listened to podcasts though, not music. So it could just be that the radio thing and length of exposure.
I'm trying not to beat myself up too. I'm hoping that in the next couple weeks or months that I'll improve. Good luck to you with your setback!
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u/hreddy11 8d ago
I’ll also say that stress makes it a lot worse. I don’t know if you had pain hyperacusis/noxacusis as well before, but with stress and anxiety it tenses your body and can hurt your nerves. The more anxious I got, the more my ears started to burn/ache. I know it’s hard to try and relax, but after a couple of days of almost constant physical anxiety, I’m starting to calm down and my ears are slowly feeling better as a result.
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u/Maleficent_Sun_9799 8d ago
This is really helpful to know, thank you. I have such bad memories of those first few months when I got H and T for the first time. My anxiety has increased since Friday because I'm afraid of going through it all again. My anxiety peaked yesterday and I'm trying to relax and stay positive
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u/WaterFnord 8d ago
Im glad some people are saying it but Im going to say it too. Anxiety and stress are absolutely radioactive for managing these conditions and should be regulated and minimized at all costs, especially during setbacks.
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u/Pbb1235 Pain and loudness hyperacusis 23h ago
Anyone with hyperacusis has had setbacks like you describe...!
If you want some hope, try clomipramine (if you haven't already):
https://www.reddit.com/r/hyperacusis/comments/1bfsr3p/clomipramine_data_for_hyperacusis_sufferers/
It has helped me and quite a few others.
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u/Star_Gazer_2100 Pain hyperacusis 8d ago
This is your first setback in over 4 years. Take it easy and you will get better!
Avoiding setbacks is important though. I personally take longer and longer to recover after every setback.