Lingering Issues With Sound
 

I suffered a concussion approximately 1 1/2 years ago. Symptoms of eye issues and general lightheadedness have been resolved. However, sound is still an issue. Although it has improved, I still am super sensitive to sound and/or too much going on around me. There doesn't seem to be any type of physical therapy that can help. I use earplugs to get through situations and that usually helps unless it is just too loud. Docs have suggested drugs like Cymbalta or Gabapentin. I have avoided the use of these drugs. I would be opened to the above drugs if I hear that they have helped others.

Has anyone found a solution for resolving this issue with sound? thanks, yvone

I use to use Bose noise canceling headphones....

I now use noise canceling ear buds, anytime in public.

Its the only way I can deal with any noise stimulation!

Funny that a drug for sound tolerance is named "cymbalta" like the loudest friggin instrument ever , the cymbals :P

I've had sound sensitivity for 20 years. My doctor has never seen somebody with as much dysfunction in this area who is not autistic. As he said when he reviewed the results of an AEP, "You hear everything ! How do you handle that?" My wife responded, "That is why we are here."

There is a part of the brain that can malfunction. It receives all of our sensory input and filters out everything that is not important. 80% or more of our environment is just ambient and not important to functioning.

When that function is damaged, for some it recovers, for some it improves and for others, it never changes. For those who struggle with this, the best solution is to learn to accept it as real and find ways to accommodate it or work around it. Ear plugs are often the best solution. Having them available is important. We also need to learn how to recognize when we are hitting our limit.

For me, I can tolerate most sounds for a few minutes. Beyond that, my brain fatigues and starts trying to process all of the sound. As soon as I realize my brain is tracking these sounds, I need to remove myself from the environment or get my ear plugs in.

Cymbalta does not help nor does gabapentin. Cymbalta may reduce the reaction but the brain is still being overwhelmed. Gabapentin has negatives that somebody with PCS needs to avoid if possible. The safe dose would not be of much help.

Some things that help:
If you are going to be in a room with lots of sounds, especially voices, try to stay near a corner so the sound is coming from one direction. 360 degree sound is the worst. I always ask for a perimeter table at restaurants.
Look at each sound source so you recognize it. This can help the brain accept the sound and ignore it.
Avoid voices that you are not looking at. If somebody is talking behind you, move to a different location.
If there is background music or sounds while you are trying to listen to somebody talk, ask if that sound can be turned off.
Learn to find the sweet spot in buildings. There are echoes that we hear that others don't hear. Ear plugs help with echoes. Church auditoriums are some of the worst places for sound.

And, plan on the probablility of needing to get away and have an escape route and don't feel embarrassed to leave. "I need to find some place quiet." or just stepping away to the restroom, if it is quiet.

A big help is knowing how to explain to others what happens with your brain.

"Most people can filter out all of these sounds. I suffered a brain injury and my brain is no longer able to filter out all of these background and other sounds."

When they understand, most are very willing to accommodate. Some are just jerks.

If somebody needs convincing, you can ask "Can you concentrate when there are kids screaming ?" "Can you drive confidently when there are bright headlights coming at you?" "For me, this is my daily life. Every sound is like kids running around and screaming."

The clinical term is hyperacusis. Some respond to a clinical term. "I suffer from hyperacusis and these sounds and voices are a problem."

I hope this helps.

My best to you.

I'm on 2 1/2 years, and sound is still an issue for me. I have found that my upper tolerance levels are slowly improving with time, but I still have a limit.

I avoid situations where there will be too much noise (ie: concerts), but do make the effort if I'm having an "up" day to try to tolerate some exposure before I reach for my earplugs. My hope is that exposing myself when I'm able to tolerate it will help my brain filter more and more over time.

Sometimes going someplace quiet for 5 minutes is enough, sometimes I have to leave. Being flexible for myself, and not trying to power through when I have reached my limit has helped the most. I think it's tougher on my husband than on me, because when I say I have to go, it usually means right now!

Ditto for the comment "If you are going to be in a room with lots of sounds, especially voices, try to stay near a corner so the sound is coming from one direction" something I learnt from this site a while ago - very, very effective.

My GP recommended an online programme for noise desensitising (think it was from Australia) which she had seen get results. I contacted them but after receiving 5 emails within 2 days trying to get me to sign and pay up I left well alone - as still trying to read and process what they had sent!

Over time have improved, comparatively speaking - learnt to dive in and out of situations as tolerance levels permit - frequent interval spaces cope better than staying the distance until I can no longer tolerate.

Still certain noises remain intolerable, the sound of food frying/sizzling, weed blowers, and noise of water coming out of shower head, these being my top 3 of all time. Trucks and motorbikes drive straight through my head!

Know now when I am overloading during the day so take breaks of time out with noise cancelling headphones on and weighted eye pads which help immensely, sooner rather than later, then recovery time is less.

Backpack, wallet, vehicles, all have packets of those not so great foam ear plugs. Do folk have recommendations for these?

Mack's brand foam ear plugs are highly rated. I just use the yellow cylinders. It helps to twist them tight so they go in deep enough before expanding. Rolling them does not do as well.

I used foam inserts for work, they only go so far and some peoples voices are impossible to hear or very muffled..

These are very reasonable, and can be found for $40-$70 range Audio-Technica ATH-ANC23BK
QuietPoint® Active Noise-Cancelling In-Ear Headphones

They help lower noise even if turned off.....If you also have sensory integration problems they help a lot of that sound activated goofy things.