By Jonas DJ and JD Rider, Hyperacusis Central
It goes without saying that the life of a hyperacusis patient is continually affected by sounds. Having a sensitivity to everyday sounds that can cause pain can require lifestyle changes, but depending on the level of severity, how much it affects everyday life will vary substantially. Household sounds that people don’t think twice about can be a significant challenge, whether it’s a door closing or cooking a meal.
When it comes to limiting the noise that enters your ears, your first line of defense is actual protection. We’ve published a video that shows the several types of earplugs and earmuffs you can use. Otherwise, there are adjustments you can make in your home that can help reduce sounds.
Limit Outside Noise
Credit: Nicolas Solerieu @slrncl/Unsplash
Windows are like a doorway for sounds from the outside world—sounds can enter easily depending on the quality of the windows or how much they are reinforced. For severe hyperacusis patients who are able to, it’s a worthwhile consideration to buy new windows that are designed to block noise.
One of our volunteers bought Avantis Smartline 70 windows. They’re made by Sapa, a Swedish company. They offer a sound reduction of 48 decibels, at least in theory.
This will get a little technical, but for those of us striving for actual solutions, the numbers will be meaningful! The exact definition of the sound insulation is Rw (C;Ctr) = 48 (-1;-4) dB). Rw is the general notation for sound insulation (in Europe). C corrects this for sounds at a medium-frequency range, such as people talking. Ctr is the correction term for low-frequency range sounds, such as traffic.
So, for example, when traffic passes by these windows, it’s 44 dB (48 − 1). For people talking, it would be 47 (48 – 1). There are other companies making similar windows, or perhaps even better ones.
To further decrease the volume coming through, you can buy window inserts and sound-reducing curtains.
To insulate walls, you can use fiberglass or mass-loaded vinyl. Both can significantly reduce the amount of sound coming through. Another option is acoustic foam.
Reduce Inside Noise
Credit: Ran Berkovich @berko/Unsplash
Things like carpeting, plush furniture, window trimmings, and even plants help absorb sound in every room. If you drop something on the floor, carpeting has an added benefit where it won’t produce the same amount of volume that it otherwise would.
At mealtimes and while cooking, use bamboo or wheat straw cutlery and utensils which are significantly less loud to use. Plastic is a great alternative, too, but not as good for the environment. Combined with a tablecloth on the dining table, eating a meal makes a lot less noise. As for appliances, dishwashers have come way down in decibel level, but many appliances still have not (such as blenders). There are various silent microwaves available.
Again, adding carpeting reduces noise when you accidentally drop something while cooking. Placing plastic sink mats on the counter makes glass, pans, and pots, for example, less loud when you set them down. You can do the same inside your refrigerator.
For cutting vegetables or other things, silicone cutting boards are easier on the ears. For drinking, reusable plastic cups are safer for our ears. They don’t make as much noise when you place them on a table or drop them.
Personal Hygiene
Credit: Chandler Cruttenden @chanphoto/Unsplash
For the most severe sufferers, even taking a bath or shower is a challenge. Again, this depends on your severity. Sitting down when showering makes less noise. If it’s still too loud, though, you could fill your bath while wearing hearing protection and let it empty after showering, or have someone you live with assist you.
Some people wear earplugs while showering, but washing your head is louder that way because of the occlusion effect. Some shower heads are more aggressive than others, especially if you use earplugs while showering. Gentler shower heads can reduce the occlusion effect considerably.
You could also try a shower head that provides a quieter nebulizing mist spray. Another alternative is placing artificial grass or hog hair on the shower’s floor, but if you do, make sure to keep everything very clean to prevent mold from growing.
You will have to experiment yourself to see what works best for you. Everyone is different.
Electric toothbrushes are often too loud for someone with hyperacusis. A traditional toothbrush is easier on the ears, but it’s important to clean everything thoroughly to avoid dental problems.
Other Situations
And another issue that hyperacusis patients often encounter is noise that comes from vents when a furnace or air conditioner is running. A good way to reduce sound is to prop a vent open in your room of choice, and place a thick microfiber cloth inside it. You can even cut them to customize their shape or double-up the layering. It substantially reduces noise. When it comes to vents, you can create a quieter room that way.
For washing and drying your clothing, anti-vibration pads provide sound-reducing attributes. And with WD-40, you can oil doors that squeak or even cabinets.
This article describes how you can soundproof doors, such as by using felt pads and door sweeps, which can be useful if you live with other people.
By taking these steps, you can help reduce the sounds in your immediate environment in order to better manage hyperacusis. Please share in the comments any additional suggestions that work for you.
This is adapted from Hyperacusis Central. Jonas DJ and JD Rider are both volunteers at Hyperacusis Central. They suffer from severe noxacusis, also known as pain hyperacusis, and decided they could not stand by and do nothing. JD is a writer and a longtime noxacusis sufferer who developed the disease in 2002, at the young age of 17, and it has progressively worsened in the years that followed. Jonas’s noxacusis is a result of years of clubbing, despite wearing custom-made hearing protection once he first developed tinnitus. Several additional noise traumas have exacerbated his condition.
Hyperacusis Central is a group comprised of individuals who know hyperacusis all too well, and desire to bring awareness to the rare condition and all its different subsets. They hope that different treatments or a cure can eventually be realized, while also wanting to share what having this disease is truly like in order to help prevent it down the road for others.
HHF funds scientists studying hyperacusis through our Emerging Research Grants program and ongoing partnership with Hyperacusis Research.
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