Blessings to everyone in the wonderful name of our Lord Jesus!
Thank you once again, Russ, for including Hyperacusis and Tinnitus on your website. When I first registered on a prior website, there were only 12 members (1990). That list has grown to almost 2,000 now. It seems more people have this 'condition' and simply do not know what it is, how to deal with it, they are not alone, and there are methods to handle living in this noise polluted world.
The person who has Hyperacusis must wear ear plugs while out in this noisey world. I also have a 'ZEM' headset that I must wear while vacumming, or if there are loud trucks on the road in front of our home. If anyone is interested in the website for the ZEM, it is <www.ZemZone.com> This little 'gadget' allows me to use my ice crusher, and other appliances, with 'high pitched sounds'.
Yes, it is true, that I hear sounds that my husband does not hear...someone driving into our driveway, the garbage truck coming (over 2 blocks away), the mailman putting mail into the box out front, someone talking/leaving a message on my answering machine (while the sound is turned off) ..they are faint sounds, but I know someone is leaving a message...,etc, etc. I can hear if a vehicle pulls into the driveway in front , it has gravel and rocks. Even my kitty cat can cry (ever so faintly) and I know she is in need of help. Like if she accidentally gets shut into the closet.<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/catbye.gif" alt="" /> The sound of paper bags being opened from a grocery store, or the ruffling of plastic bags like the potato chips and doritos comes in, crumbling of aluminum foil , etc, etc. is almost unbearable. I must leave the room. Oh! And the sound of someone's fork, spoons, etc hitting against a bowl or plate is awful!
To cope in our home, I simply wear compacted wads of cotton in my ears. There is a sign on the front door that reads, "please do not knock on the door". People who know us understand 'why' and will either call and leave a message or send a note ahead of time, to expect them.
I will close for now, as Miss Mercy (my kitty cat) is walking across the brown paper wrapping on the rolled-up carpets that were just delivered, and I am about to come unglued! We must try to keep a sense of humor in this, or we will go crazy.
By the way, I noticed that there is a site on Aspartame mentioned on this Website. Now that one is a BIG NO-NO! for tinnitus! So, dear friends, take care of your ears. Turn down that radio, T.V., stereo, etc. The world is far too noisey. I had my ears checked for the Micro-Tech Hearing Aid (reduces sounds) and was told 'you can hear fine'! I KNOW THAT!! . I hear MORE THAN FINE! I think I had a new person who didn't know what she was talking about. Obviously......
Splenda seems to be the best artificial sweetener for those with tinnitus. Take care everyone. May our Lord bless you all. Thanks again to Lynn for bringing this 'problem' to another website in order to help others. God bless you, dear friend. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jesuslovesyou.png" alt="" />Abishag