Bluetooth Use with Tinnitus and Hyperacusis

Great news, I finally found one! Because of my tinnitus, hyperacusis, as well as my processing disorder, and nerve damage in my ears... it's taken me quite some time, 4 years really to be able to put something in my ears or on my ears that doesn't cause me pain.

I've gone through 6 different sets of Bluetooth devices, a number of earbuds and a trial period of headsets. Nothing has worked.

Even the ones I found comfortable to wear had to go because the volume control level, just wouldn't go low enough for me. It caused me, discomfort and pain.

I even went as far as advance sound effects through my phone to set it for each ears specific needs for t and h.

Today, I'm happy to say, I found a Bluetooth device used for one ear, that has ever come close to fitting my needs with tinnitus and hyperacusis.

This device, has the potential, of passes the trial period with my ears, to be the first device to allow me full access to phone use.

This would be a HUGE win for me!

As most of you know, who have been following my case, I've had major phone use restrictions since being diagnosed in April of 2013, with severe tinnitus and hyperacusis.

It was and is just too painful and discomforting to speak on the phone for me.

I even had to switch my phone to voicemail to text because of this issue, as a way for people to communicate with me.

This Bluetooth device cost $30 Walmart. It's the Plantronics Explorer 52.

Easy to use, comfortable around the ear, and inside the ear. With even more advanced volume control.

I can wear the device on the lowest setting, for my needs. I hear everyone clearly with no major background sounds in the device itself, and with the volume set that low everyone can still hear me.

Of course, I'll need to slowly adjust my ears to phone use again.

One should never just start using something all the time. Especially if it deals with our ears and hearing.

I used it for one call to test making distance calls. And once for receiving a call. Just to make sure the volume was set properly for both.

Next comes the trial period of making it through a one week use on my restrictions.

If the set passes that test, we can then try it for another two weeks at my restrictive level.

If at that time the set passes the test, we can then look into adjusting my restrictions.

This is done for several reasons.

1. To let my ear adjust to wearing the device. Making sure it doesn't cause discomfort or pain to wear.

2. Allows my ears and brain to get introduced to this new form of receiving information. We'll be looking for any symptoms such as...

Ear Fullness
Spike in Tinnitus or Hyperacusis
Any Discomfort or Pain from the sounds.
Nausea
Vertigo
Headaches
Migraines
Head Pressure Changes
As well as anything else that might come about.

So as you can see it's a process that takes time and must be documented in my case.

I can say, I've never had a device last a full week yet. Not even on restrictive use.

This device, Plantronics Explorer 52 has up to 11 hrs talk time. Can be used up to 12 days straight, and weighs 10 grams. It can be syn to a number of devices. And yes, it has a power saving mode.

So be sure to check back for my 1-week update on how the device has faired.