Coping With Hyperacusis During The Holiday Seasons
I knew the holidays were going to be difficult, it's the time of year family and friends gather to celebrate. Large groups of people pack the stores; there will be bells ringing, music clanging and everybody in the world seems to have something to say.
For people like me, it's a nightmare. I can only describe it as an overwhelming amount of noise. It confuses me and leaves me feeling disoriented. You see since my surgery I have an issue with not being able to tell what direction a sound is coming from. It's almost like well, like a switch in my mind was put in backward or upside down. My eyes see something but me ears recognize it differently and it can be quite overwhelming and unwelcoming. The aching in my ears turns to pain, pain turn to retreat. The sounds are to much for me and I have to get away from them, it feels like my head is getting stuffed, my ears feel blocked, like they want to pop and sometimes it feels like they want to bleed.
While most families are out and about during the holidays, I have taken to staying at home. I know it sounds quite dreadful and sad but I'm learning to cope. Home is an environment I can control the sounds in. I watch movies with my girls just at a much lower volume, we bake cookies and try new dinner recipes. Often I take to my writing desk where I'll sit and work on my manuscript, write poetry and inspirational quotes to share on the many social media sites I'm on.
You can find me researching marketing strategies in the early morning hours when the tinnitus keeps me from sleep or writing up new proposals in the workplace. I've found that the more I keep my mind occupied it helps with the tinnitus. It doesn't make it stop but it helps me to semi block it out.
Best medicine for sleep for a person with tinnitus C++ Programming.
Did you know Christmas lights let off a high pitch sound when they are plugged in? I didn't know it either until now or how about that vehicles engines sound louder because of the cold weather? Yes, I've learned that too. Most outings you'll find I have to wear not only my ear plugs but my ear muffs as well. Don't get me started on the bitter cold and the freezing wind; it causes me such pain in my ears and sinus pressure like I'm going to get a nose bleed.
One thing a person living with a sensitivity to sound much do for a healthy lifestyle is manage how much time one needs secluded and how much time they need to be social. Most people don't think about life in this respect however those with hearing loss, tinnitus and hyperacusis are susceptible to depression.
These disabilities tend to affect our social life. It's not that we don't want to be social, we didn't wake up one day and say, 'Screw you world I don't need anyone.' We are less social because of the pain, frustration, mental and emotional affects of the disorders and overwhelming state of confusion it can cause us.
So while I learn how to keep a safe distance from those things that cause me pain, I always learn what I must do to keep a positive mindset and live a happy healthy life. If I can do it, you can do it too!
Tips To Live By:
For people like me, it's a nightmare. I can only describe it as an overwhelming amount of noise. It confuses me and leaves me feeling disoriented. You see since my surgery I have an issue with not being able to tell what direction a sound is coming from. It's almost like well, like a switch in my mind was put in backward or upside down. My eyes see something but me ears recognize it differently and it can be quite overwhelming and unwelcoming. The aching in my ears turns to pain, pain turn to retreat. The sounds are to much for me and I have to get away from them, it feels like my head is getting stuffed, my ears feel blocked, like they want to pop and sometimes it feels like they want to bleed.
While most families are out and about during the holidays, I have taken to staying at home. I know it sounds quite dreadful and sad but I'm learning to cope. Home is an environment I can control the sounds in. I watch movies with my girls just at a much lower volume, we bake cookies and try new dinner recipes. Often I take to my writing desk where I'll sit and work on my manuscript, write poetry and inspirational quotes to share on the many social media sites I'm on.
You can find me researching marketing strategies in the early morning hours when the tinnitus keeps me from sleep or writing up new proposals in the workplace. I've found that the more I keep my mind occupied it helps with the tinnitus. It doesn't make it stop but it helps me to semi block it out.
Best medicine for sleep for a person with tinnitus C++ Programming.
It's a lot of information to soak in and it exhausts the mind. However after three days straight it burned me out so I'm still working on calculating the right amount of C++ Programming to take in that will allow me a good full night sleep without getting information overload!
Did you know Christmas lights let off a high pitch sound when they are plugged in? I didn't know it either until now or how about that vehicles engines sound louder because of the cold weather? Yes, I've learned that too. Most outings you'll find I have to wear not only my ear plugs but my ear muffs as well. Don't get me started on the bitter cold and the freezing wind; it causes me such pain in my ears and sinus pressure like I'm going to get a nose bleed.
One thing a person living with a sensitivity to sound much do for a healthy lifestyle is manage how much time one needs secluded and how much time they need to be social. Most people don't think about life in this respect however those with hearing loss, tinnitus and hyperacusis are susceptible to depression.
These disabilities tend to affect our social life. It's not that we don't want to be social, we didn't wake up one day and say, 'Screw you world I don't need anyone.' We are less social because of the pain, frustration, mental and emotional affects of the disorders and overwhelming state of confusion it can cause us.
So while I learn how to keep a safe distance from those things that cause me pain, I always learn what I must do to keep a positive mindset and live a happy healthy life. If I can do it, you can do it too!
Tips To Live By:
- Be sure your friends and family know what causes you pain.
- Accommodations can be put into place for anyone still wishing to work, just talk to your HR dept and let them know what your needs are and what limitations you may have.
- Know that it's okay to get solitude when you need it. Everyone need time alone to relax and release the daily stresses of the day.
- Most importantly, you can still be social all it takes is others around you to accommodate your needs like a quite place.
- If you have holiday shopping to do online shopping might be for you.
- Go to the stores when they are less likely to be crowded so you don't get overwhelmed and cause more damage.
- And if you MUST go out think of your health and safety first wear your ear plugs and ear muffs.
- Give yourself plenty of time to get where you're going and have someone come with you if you think it will be to much for you, it's okay to ask for 'help'.
And remember 'Tis the season'
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