Emergency Preparedness and Hyperacusis

Photo Credit: Wendy Spickerman

One of the things I do is spread awareness about Hyperacusis. How can your state be prepared during an emergency if many doctors are uninformed about Hyperacusis, which is sensitivity to everyday sounds?

I’m one of many who have been diagnosed with Hyperacusis. I’m a digital journalist and work with my doctors to manage my care.

It’s very concerning to me that first responders are unaware this condition exists. And being so how can first responders help others with such a condition during an emergency if they don't know it exists? 

Here are some simple facts first responders should know

• You should always have at least one set of earplugs or earmuffs in your emergency kit in case you come upon a person with Hyperacusis.
• Speak calming and ask the person if your voice or any other sounds is causing them pain? If so, you should immediately provide earplugs or earmuffs for them if they are not already wearing these protective devices. This will minimize the stress the patient may be under and reduce pain.

“If a person cannot think clearly; a first responder cannot care for them properly.” wspickerman

Many times those with Hyperacusis not only experience discomfort, pressure and pain within the ears and head but also become confused and have other hearing issues.

These people can act out when under great stress and in severe pain due to a sound, which is affecting them. Minimize the sound you now have a patient who can communicate more effectively.

In case of an emergency, loud sounds can bring a person with Hyperacusis to their knees in pain. First responders, will need to not only know how to help a person with this condition but how to approach these people and provide an environment much needed for their condition.

All Hyperacusis patients are different so each case must be looked at and cared for differently. However, they all have one thing in common “sound hurts”.

More and more people are being diagnosed with Hyperacusis. In the United Kingdom it is already considered a “disability” not a disorder. If you have any questions about this condition and want to know what it is like first hand for a person diagnosed with Hyperacusis feel free to contact me: wspickerman@yahoo.com . After we speak, I’ll give you information on how you can contact specialists who are working hard to help these people, people like me.

There is one more thing you need to know, a person with Hyperacusis may not have hearing protection on when you meet them, that’s because wearing protection 24/7 could cause the condition to worsen and those with Hyperacusis have to reintroduce sounds, it’s part of managing one's care.