I loved my career as a registered dental hygienist. It was very rewarding and I loved my patients.
My days were filled with the piercing whine of dental equipment, with my head positioned just inches from the motorized whirr. I never thought twice about the noise.
After 22 years, the suction started bothering my ears. One day in 2008, I whipped the suction, known as the saliva ejector, out of a patient’s mouth and threw it in the trash.
I stopped using the suction and instead would have the patient spit. I started doing hand-scaling only. If a patient requested the high-pitched ultrasonic scaler called the Cavitron, I would deny them.
I put cotton rolls in my ears as crude earplugs. They didn’t work very well.
If I knew what was to come, I would have quit right then.
Instead, I was fired two years later. I think the patients were complaining about me.
I had burning and stinging pain in my ears. I went to doctors, ENTs and the Cleveland Clinic, but nobody knew what was wrong. I mentioned my noisy job but nobody put it together. Noise usually causes deafness, not pain.
One ENT told me I had refractive hearing, whatever that is. Finally, an audiologist told me I had hyperacusis.
I continued to worsen. Noise became increasingly painful. I couldn’t stand the sound of my own voice. When driving in the rain, the raindrops hitting the windshield hurt me. I had burning ear pain even in a quiet setting.
My life turned upside down. I had to sell my house and find a cheaper condominium. My boyfriend was loud with a deep voice and his snoring just about killed me. I had to break up with him so he was free to go find someone normal.
My life is now very guarded. The activities I cannot do are much more than the things I can do out in the world.
It is difficult for me to venture out of my quiet home, let alone to socialize.
I am fortunate that my sister pulls me out of the house every day. My routine is either lap swimming or walking. I use Bose noise-canceling earbuds attached to an iPod and listen to very soft music on low to drown out the sounds of the world.
Still, my sister doesn’t get it. She asks, “When can you go to a concert with me?” My answer is, “Never.”
It is a challenge even to shop at the supermarket. The dings, dongs, beeps, boops and bells are loud and horrible. I try not to buy too much at a time so I can escape the scanner. I run away from people talking and laughing.
This wicked affliction is so isolating. I get jealous of people with normal ears.
I would rather lose my teeth than deal with this, and I am not one for pulling teeth. But if I had a choice, yes. I would trade every tooth in my head if I could cure my hyperacusis. This is so bad.
I am luckier than some because I am a mild case, and I do not suffer much from tinnitus, or ringing in the ears. But even a mild case of hyperacusis is severe. A noise injury sounds like no big deal, but it is devastating. It is hidden. We suffer alone.
I spent my career and my livelihood, which has now been cut short, concerned with dental health. We are taught to brush and floss our teeth, and to schedule regular hygiene appointments for cleaning — but nobody knows or cares about ears.
does anyone know who this woman is? I would like to get in touch with her and talk.
Hi George, I know who this person is, as she is my best friend. She would like to stay anonymous, but would also like to get in touch with you. What is you email address? B.
There is hope to heal hyperacusis. You can email me [email protected]
I hv personal experience of the hell and the road back
How did you fix it???
So I was messing around with a broken tooth trying to pull it it was on the left side top part of my mouth.This said as I was twisting and adjusting it without warning mt right ear began to ring so loud that I quickly twisted my tooth back to the way it was sitting .And right at that point I new exactly what was needed to be done. This is why I write in today with an experience to where I knew how the loud ringing started and then knew exactly how to stop it .it was amazing this said it leans me towards the people whom studies ringing in in the ears should look at the nerve in between the jaw and the teeth this being said that many people have lost teeth or many nerves when dentists work on your teeth are shifted you know your your tooth nerve is shifted so if that nerve isn’t in place or is sitting out of place or just just a tad little bit you’ll hear a little bit but if it’s like I moved a whole bunch then you’re going to hear a whole bunch of ringing like I said this was on my left top portion of my mouth and it made my right ear ring this is a very important find for our scientist today and I hope that with my findings that this will help the scientist in the titintus world I know that I’m right on and I’m 100% when I say that these nerves in between the jaw and the teeth your your tooth nerve I know that I’m right on because of what I experienced I’m not saying that it’s the only cause of reading in the air but I am saying 100% without a doubt it is the nerves between your teeth and your jaw. Tammy king
I have lost all my teeth because I could not stand the sound of dental work.I could never understand why freezing didn’t work for me but now I believe it was the hyperaccusis that was cousing me pain during dental work.
I feel just like her. Thank you for writing. Now I know someone else feels like this. Going into a store is so painful. Thanks for writing!
I got hyperacusis because I got my winsome teeth removed. No one believed that was the cause. Happened the day I got them out and never went away.
I was diagnosed with Hyperacusis in 2012 two years after I got Tinnitus. Once feeling healthy and happy my life felt like it plunged into the abyss after an ear infection. In summer of 2010 I went swimming with a friend one evening and since then my life has changed forever. I remember jumping into the pool and coming up for breath and soon as I did I remember feeling like I was deaf. Water was stuck in my ear and it would not come out at all no matter what I tried. I went to my apartment and tried everything to get it out. I waited until next morning to schedule an appointment with an ENT but it would not be until the day after I could get it scheduled. So when I did the ENT examined my ears he said I had an ear infection. He cleaned it out and pulled a small disc of wax. He told me what happened was water became trapped inside my ear creating a small cavity of water that was blocked. I called in from work taking the day off I later went to bed. I woke up that evening hearing a very high pitch sound like something artificial electronic noise, 6000Hz. I scheduled another appointment with the same ENT and he gave me a hearing test. He then told me to step out of the booth and have a seat as he left the room. He came back into the room and sat down beside me in a slow fashion, by his body language I could tell something was not going to be good about this. He told me I have Tinnitus and there is no cure and I would have to live with it for the rest of my life. Two years later still with Tinnitus my work offered free flu shots. I decided why not, well I got very sick from it it made my Tinnitus much worse than I could ever imagine. 2 days in to the flu I realized normal sound hurt my ears. I went back to the ENT he gave me another hearing exam this time he told me he tried to compare my results with other patients except he said he had to compare me to people in their 80’s. He then told me I had Hyperacusis and there is no cure and he also said I had severe hearing loss, he told me all of this in a casual way and then got up and walked away. Sometime I hate my life with what little heart that has yet to be stolen from me. I do not know why I am still here. I have been through several anti-depressants only to realize nothing changes. I can relate to the story above. I wear ear plugs everywhere I go. The shrill of a child the honk of a car horn or train horn or doors banging all of this scares me. Not a day goes by I wish I had just gone to the emergency room that evening. Even then it may just have been brushed off as swimmers ear, I dont know,or they might have told me its not life threatening but I cant say for sure because I never did go, I didnt even feel pain, just a mild pressure and now I have to live with the torment of both conditions for the rest of my life. I live for a treatment, or relief, maybe a cure but im optimistic but yet feel skeptical that there will ever be one. From one suffer to another “it takes one to know one”
Some 25 years ago I took my teenage daughter to an Amy Grant concert. A Christian concert…not Metallica !! Mid-way into the concert my ears were hurting. That night at 3 am I was awaken by the sounds of clinging, whistling, clanging. And then it was as though a train were driving through my brain. It took YEARS before the sounds let up…I didn’t sleep more than 10 hours over the next 2 months. I had to keep working full-time. No doctor could help me. Was finally referred to the House Ear Clinic in LA. The doctor said I had tinnitus but that there was nothing I could do about it. He said it would stay the same, get better or possibly get worse. Within a short time I could not stand the sound of my voice, the sound of running water, the wind, crinkling paper, a bird chirping….let alone a washing machine, lawn mower, tree trimmer and even a low-playing radio or TV…married with two children I found myself more and more isolated. I’s been a long 25 years…I’ve missed out on a lot of church services, weddings, concerts, lectures, movies, parties, amusement parks, nightclubs, live theater, arena games …and just normal life. A few years ago I had custom musician’s earplugs made. They help somewhat. I know. I know. I should be grateful…it has not gotten worse.And I am. I can actually do a few more things now than I did 15 years ago…but it’s hard. So hard. People don’t understand. Even those closest to me. I wish there were something that could be done. This is a horrible cross to bear. No one and I mean no one can understand it without experiencing it. And I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy. A few seconds of suffering from this is too long…over two decades is a nightmare. If it were not for my faith I don’ know how I could cope….My heart goes out to those who suffer without hope. At least, I’ve had that most days.
Hello,
I am totally blind with no light perception due to ROP stage 5 from birth on and I think I have hyperacusis too.
Nobody understands it, cares about it, nobody wants to examine it, they think I lost my mind and it cannot be true what I am saying. But unfortunately it is really true. Voices are just painfull, too loud to me, I can hardly stand them.
I am from a very not developed country from Hungary, and don’t know what to do against it, what doctor shall I look for?
Thanks for reading my mail, I want to get in touch with somebody who has the same problem.
I can totally relate to your story on a slightly “lighter” level, but feel your pain. I’m just starting to figure all this out and actually have my first ENT appt coming up in a week. It’s bittersweet reading all of this info, because while I just want to know what’s going on with my ear, I’m afraid of what they might tell me. But it’s getting worse and I know that I have to get answers. Even typing this is annoying, because I can hear my ear “thumping” inside like someone is tapping on my inner ear or tapping on a microphone inside my ear. It’s so annoying. Loud noises give me a headache, but they don’t seem loud to others. So it makes you feel like you’re just being a jerk about things or miserable. I’m sorry to hear of your misfortune with this, but thank you for sharing your story!
My daughter has problems with this that seem to have started after dental &/or sinus surgery. Her case is not totaling debilitating, but seriously hampers her social life & interaction at work. Has anyone discovered any solutions for mild to moderate cases? Could a neurologist be of any help?
Lynn, I know it’s been over a year since you wrote here but I am hoping you’re still here. 18 Sep 2018 I had sinus surgery and what was pressure in my ears and infections of ears and sinus is now an extreme intolerance of noise. How is your daughter? Have you found relief for her? Looking for help…. please
Hi, No. I don’t think so unless he is specially trained for treating hyperacusis. I’ve had hyperacusis for along time now but for the last 2 months it has increased to severe condition. I found the list of clinics which they trying to help people with those conditions:
http://www.chat-hyperacusis.net/post?id=2749195
I have not seen anyone about that yet.
As far as I know it is very slow process, but there is a hope.
All the best to everyone. I hope it will help you. God bless.
Det är bra, att du vittnar och bevisar hur denna Hyperakusis plåga, går på hela människan och får Ont av vardagliga ljud. Själv har jag svår Hyperakusi och det gör att den andra plågan jag har, blir värre o värre. Tinnitus ljuden blir en Mardröm, liksom Hyperakusi. Hoppas verkligen på bot. Att drabbas av vardagliga ljud, som blir en ren mardröm för människor, och kan må dåligt veckor efter. Viktigt Vittnande du gör, och Lyfter fram Problematiken, kring Hyperakusi. Vänliga Hälsningar Tommy. Hoppas de finner Stor Lindring eller hel bot på detta Sjukdom, Hyperakusis, så långt jag fått reda är det en skada och människor blir isolerade, ett Handikapp. Tommy from Sweden.
I had gone out to eat, in the middle of dinner i started having a loud sound affect in my head. it was the sound of the restaurant customers , the clanging of utensils , dishes etc. I had to leave and went straight to a medical clinic. The runaround i received was ridiculous and i asked for a referral to an ENT clinic where i received hearing tests, blood tests and a brain MRI to rule out tumors or growth on auditory system. It was all normal. Finally an audiologist talked to me about a hearing aid which would help on the mild hearing loss they found. and also block out noises which hurt my ears in certain environments. I had had a sinus infection, and a few weeks later an earache that i used medications to treat. I feel the drops aggravated the condition. I have tried a hearing aid and it did give me relief. I was able to go to the grocery store where coolers, freezers, children yelling and ordinary noises caused me pain and anxiety. I also stay away from movies, musical programs, a lot of restaurants that have a noisy reputation. The hearing aid gave me relief but I still wake on some mornings with dull pain in the ear and or a stabbing pain. overall I think things have improved somewhat, it has been six months now. i still have the condition, but I have learned how to cope and deal with every day life by being selective about the environments I put myself in. I thank my audiologist, really helped me and advised me to try a light anxiety medication which has also helped me daily.
Thank you for sharing your story. It’s absolutely true – no one can really understand how debilitating it is to have Hyperacusis unless you experience it yourself. Friends and family try to be supportive but often, they have no idea how awful it is. They just think you should stick some earplugs in, and that will solve everything! So alot of time, we appear to be whiners or complainers, and that alienates some.
It is very challenging to maintain a positive outlook, when so many so-called ‘helpful’ headphones / earplug products don’t work. At least for me, I’ve had a lot of trouble finding ones that truly block out sound. I know for myself, one big factor that will help is to find a new job. My present job is likely the cause of my Hyperacusis, or at least strongly related to (very noisy/traffic/construction). There’s still so much that’s not understood about this condition, most doctors have no clue. We’re kind of on our own.
Hello, I lost 60% of my hearing in my left ear about 3 months ago…then came the tinnitus and hyperacusis. Very difficult to deal with as I am a guitarist, but I do at least have one good ear. I’m trying to deal with this and look for newer solutions….stem cells, gene therapy, etc. Not sure what to do at this point but I can feel myself withdrawing somewhat socially because I know what’s going to happen in a noisy crowded room… any guidance is sure appreciated! Rick in CA
I developed a condition like this after working in a factory building VLTs in Canada. My job was to hammer metal feet into the underside of the chassis. I was 25 at the time and requested hearing protection from my employer, but being a “temporary worker” (for over a year!) with their placement agency I had no rights. My requests were denied. I started noticing the my right ear was quieter than me left, then the ringing started. My team lead looked in a production manager’s office and found ear plugs, but the supply was limited. Thus, I put a pair in when needed and took them back out when I didn’t need them. Then a bilateral ear infection started. It went from June 2012 to Oct, all the while being medicated. I was in such debilitating pain that I needed 3 days off and they threatened my employment. In Oct I had enough and quit. I didn’t know my rights. Neither did I know I’d be in this ongoing non-stop hell 8 years later. It has not improved and I couldn’t even drive. I can drive now but not much else. I haven’t had a job since. People don’t understand that this pain never stops. It’s day and night, ringing, dinging, whistling, stabbing. I was taken advantage of to save a multi-billion dollar VLT manufacturer money. The company was Spielo International, Moncton, Canada.
I was born with mild hyperacusis and the way that people waste their hearing and think manmade noise is normal appalls me – that is why i value my hyperacusis.
Hello everyone. I feel sympathetic to each of you. Please try to protect yourself, fight for yourself, use earplugs, headphones etc. I know how painful it is. It makes your life almost impossible, it takes out your energy, it influences on your psycho etc. Don’t think what people say or that they don’t understand. Love yourself, and try to survive. But I understand that sometimes it seems impossible. It’s so hard to experience fear and pain every day, often every hour. God (or whoever) help us!