Do need anti hearing aid? Or permanent earplug?
June 25, 2019 12:45 PM Subscribe
2 years ago I suffered hearing damage in a particular frequency and now anything close to that causes significant pain. What do I do - get a hearing aid or just always wear an earplug?
Within a period of a week about 2 years ago I had 2 high-pitched-voice friends shriek into my right ear with glee while hugging me. Both times were incredibly painful. I thought it would get better but it hasn't. My fiance has a voice that hits right in the middle of that range and it hurts if she speaks loudly on my right side. Quite often when I'm driving I need to wear an earplug on the right side or it hurts when she talks.
In situations where I fail to anticipate a sudden, high-pitched, loud sound, it can really throw me off. We went to a party last fall where everyone in the room shrieked in excitement when we walked in and it physically hurt for hours and put me in a shitty mood.
So:
1: Should I see an audiologist?
2: Is there a discreet, low suppression earplug that I could use? I carry a foam plug in my coin pocket and take Surefire plugs to concerts and bars, but the constant questions from others get annoying.
3: Something else?
(I am writing this from a restaurant where there are two constantly shrieking toddlers behind me. FML.)
Within a period of a week about 2 years ago I had 2 high-pitched-voice friends shriek into my right ear with glee while hugging me. Both times were incredibly painful. I thought it would get better but it hasn't. My fiance has a voice that hits right in the middle of that range and it hurts if she speaks loudly on my right side. Quite often when I'm driving I need to wear an earplug on the right side or it hurts when she talks.
In situations where I fail to anticipate a sudden, high-pitched, loud sound, it can really throw me off. We went to a party last fall where everyone in the room shrieked in excitement when we walked in and it physically hurt for hours and put me in a shitty mood.
So:
1: Should I see an audiologist?
2: Is there a discreet, low suppression earplug that I could use? I carry a foam plug in my coin pocket and take Surefire plugs to concerts and bars, but the constant questions from others get annoying.
3: Something else?
(I am writing this from a restaurant where there are two constantly shrieking toddlers behind me. FML.)
I suggest starting with an ENT, who will probably have you start with a run of hearing tests to learn more about your frequency responses.
posted by evilmonk at 12:55 PM on June 25, 2019
posted by evilmonk at 12:55 PM on June 25, 2019
1: Should I see an audiologist?
YES
Everything else follows from that appointment (either with an audiologist or GP who may then refer you to one). Your other questions are moot until you've seen a professional.
posted by acidnova at 1:16 PM on June 25, 2019 [6 favorites]
YES
Everything else follows from that appointment (either with an audiologist or GP who may then refer you to one). Your other questions are moot until you've seen a professional.
posted by acidnova at 1:16 PM on June 25, 2019 [6 favorites]
Audiologist! ASAP! There is really, honestly, sincerely, no other answer.
posted by Seven Windows at 1:19 PM on June 25, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Seven Windows at 1:19 PM on June 25, 2019 [3 favorites]
Even as an American who is entirely fearful about approaching the medical system for pretty much anything I still say go to a doctor
posted by raccoon409 at 3:44 PM on June 25, 2019
posted by raccoon409 at 3:44 PM on June 25, 2019
Best answer: My partner has issues with this (he's a musician) and he has custom earplugs from an audiologist with a special filter that he puts in when high frequencies are bugging him. He can still have a conversation with them in, but he says they make a world of difference. The molds last a few years, the filter needs to be replaced a little more often.
posted by ProtoStar at 5:36 PM on June 25, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by ProtoStar at 5:36 PM on June 25, 2019 [1 favorite]
I think you should get to an audiologist as soon as possible, too -- and also that you should probably regularly wear an earplug until you do.
Because your current reaction to the sounds that hurt your ears reminds me very much of the intermediate stages people talked about in this long Buzzfeed article about hyperacusis. In fact, I think it might be worthwhile to check around your area for MDs who have treated and researched hyperacusis, and try to get a referral from the audiologist if you can't make an appointment directly.
posted by jamjam at 7:17 PM on June 25, 2019
Because your current reaction to the sounds that hurt your ears reminds me very much of the intermediate stages people talked about in this long Buzzfeed article about hyperacusis. In fact, I think it might be worthwhile to check around your area for MDs who have treated and researched hyperacusis, and try to get a referral from the audiologist if you can't make an appointment directly.
posted by jamjam at 7:17 PM on June 25, 2019
Please go to the doctor. I JUST went to the ENT with a similar issue, and it turned out to be allergies causing a pressure buildup in my Eustasian tubes. It was incredibly isolating and anxiety causing feeling like I couldn't be around my friends and loved ones without pain and the fix was available at Rite Aid.
posted by Pretty Good Talker at 8:22 PM on June 25, 2019
posted by Pretty Good Talker at 8:22 PM on June 25, 2019
Best answer: I'm an audiologist and I agree you should go see an audiologist.
What you're describing is hyperacusis. It's a very common symptom with hearing loss. It's caused by a reduction in dynamic range and something call neural recruitment.
In general, hearing protection is not typically recommended for hyperacusis (for normal level sounds), as it can actually over time make your hyperacusis worse. But see what your audiologist says after some tests.
IANYA.
posted by Lutoslawski at 12:26 PM on June 26, 2019 [2 favorites]
What you're describing is hyperacusis. It's a very common symptom with hearing loss. It's caused by a reduction in dynamic range and something call neural recruitment.
In general, hearing protection is not typically recommended for hyperacusis (for normal level sounds), as it can actually over time make your hyperacusis worse. But see what your audiologist says after some tests.
IANYA.
posted by Lutoslawski at 12:26 PM on June 26, 2019 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks for the responses, folks. I'll see an audiologist!
posted by MonsieurBon at 6:50 AM on July 31, 2019
posted by MonsieurBon at 6:50 AM on July 31, 2019
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