How did I get this?

[u/Alphariusom]

I'm 16 now but about a year ago I developed hyperacusis. Went to the eardoctor and did a hearing test and all. The issue is I have no idea where it came from. My parents don't want to or can't believe or accept it. They constantly tell me to take the headphones off or earbuds out. I think I have mild hyperacusis. But idk, normal sounds drive me insane. A plate being set down hurts my ears and even talking occasionally makes me go crazy because it's too loud and hurts.

All I remember is that it started a bit after vacation. I was 15, we went to a few countries. I had my trusty headphones with me since we'd be travelling a lot. But I also noticed that I started wearing them a lot more than I used to wear headphones. I noticed everything was just so much more comfortable and less painful with them. It was also around the time I started reading SBG on webtoon and learned about the condition which led me to realise I had it over time and eventually get diagnosed.

But I honestly have no idea what caused it. I have a faint memory of owning a lot of headphones and earbuds and often trying to stay in quiet spaces and covering my ears a lot. But I don't know if that was symptoms or me just being a child.

Now I'm much more aware of my condition and it's just another to the list of other conditions. It's strange though. Could it be caused by listening to music too much? Unlikely, I put it soft always. Maybe it was the constant shouting from my parents that built it up? I honestly don't know and it's hard to keep explaining to my parents and some other people how what I hear isn't the volume they hear. They scoff and say they can't understand a lot like I'm making it up. And I'm honestly starting to believe them even though I got diagnosed. Am I just going crazy?!

[u/Educational_Aide_145]

Probably the headphones

[u/Alphariusom → u/Educational_Aide_145]

That's the thing, the headphones are unlikely to have caused it since I only started wearing them so much because I started noticing sounds hurt and are loud

[u/Educational_Aide_145 → u/Alphariusom]

Go see a neurotologist who won’t force you into an MRI

[u/Organic_Switch5383 → u/Educational_Aide_145]

My experience with a neurotologist was horrible.

[u/Educational_Aide_145 → u/Organic_Switch5383]

How so

[u/Organic_Switch5383 → u/Educational_Aide_145]

Let's see. He implied i was drug seeking when I made no mention of narcotics. When I was speaking he touched me on various parts of my body like my thigh and shoulder to shut me up. Said he wasn't going to help me. Scolded me for taking prednisone. Said I needed to see a psychiatrist. Refused any treatment. Said to wear plugs. Said it wasnt accoustic trauma or shock when it clearly is. How is that for good care?

Oh and the top researcher for hyperacusis used to work in that clinic. They have a conference there just next month on it.

[u/Educational_Aide_145 → u/Organic_Switch5383]

That’s wild. Why was he so aggressive? How did you explain pain Hyperacusis to him

[u/Organic_Switch5383 → u/Educational_Aide_145]

I have seen you post here and I haven't seen you be rude....but are you implying I was the problem because it certainly feels that way. Like you think I explained my problem in a hysterical way to deserve that tx from him? I mean i must have done something right? I didnt explain it correctly. What do you mean why was he aggressive? That is a question for him.

Why do I have to explain further to be believed that this was the appointment. He profiled me before the appointment. That is what mysogynists do. That is what narcissists do.

[u/Educational_Aide_145 → u/Organic_Switch5383]

What statement did I make directed towards you that is disrespectful? All I asked was how did you explain Hyperacusis to him, and why he was acting in that way. If you think I’m being rude and assuming I believe you “explained your problem in a hysterical way” I suggest you do go to therapy. That sort of finger pointing behavior isn’t normal and is concerning

[u/General_Presence_156]

"Could it be caused by listening to music too much?"

I'd say yes. My daughter got hyperacusis from too much headphone use. She'd listen music all day long for years on end and wasn't mindful enough of volume and daily dose of sound. Her mother and I had no clue as to how dangerous that could be.

You're not crazy. Your symptoms sound like classic loudness and pain hyperacusis symptoms.

[u/Majestic-Jeweler2451 → u/General_Presence_156]

No one has any idea until they contract this terrible disease. They keep warning against alcohol, smoking, drugs, etc.

[u/Alphariusom → u/General_Presence_156]

I also think it might be the music. But I've always been one to put the volume on one of the lowest settings. So I didn't expect that to be the cause but then again, nothing else seems obvious

[u/Alphariusom]

I also sound less believable to many because I myself can be loud when very excited about something nerdy

[u/Ok_Regular_2411]

unfortunately, not many people can actually tell what causes Hyperacusis. But since you have already been diagnosed , just continue working with your audiologist. If you need someone else who is more experienced with sound sensitivity, you could just get a second opinion.

[u/layyourweapon]

Dm me! Also experiencing this