![]() Sitting by the sea, or just at a quiet street, in the sun, is very relaxing. I also suggest to sit on a quiet terrace, if the place where you live has that sort of option. Once you start going out, for instance shopping for groceries, or going to buy clothes, you will find your own path, depending on your own individual reaction and sensitivity to noise. I could hear normal conversation with double protection and my back turned to people talking. Due to my hyperacusis I could hear perfectly through the earplugs (and also through earmuffs on top). Second thing: you need to wear at all times hearing protection, at least earplugs.I use flesh coloured foam earplugs. You just have to know at which times the place you are going to is less crowded, and the PA system is at a lower volume, and of course you have to go to a place where you can park, without needing to set foot on the street. You mentioned "shopping" ok, let's give that a try. you have to try to do simple stuff, and go step by step. So of course don't rush to the first rock concert haha. To do this you just need to build confidence progressively, find spaces where you feel comfortable, and try to do things that you will be ok with. My earplugs are at the ready and my fingers are crossed.Ĭlick to expand.I have gone from spending at times 7 - 10 days at home without leaving, when hyperacusis was severe, to going out everyday, making exercise, and having quite a normal life, with a few limitations. I have to travel (fly) this year, I'm on the subway, and will be on trains and in Ubers, and walking all over the city - doing what I need to do. But there are some things I just can't avoid. ![]() My life is forever changed, and this what I can do to help myself. I haven't been in a large social gathering since my tinnitus worsened, but I will avoid loud restaurants, bars, clubs, movie theaters, Broadway shows (musicals), headphones, and - oh, this really hurts - concerts. It's rare these days, but if I'm out with a friend and can't wear the earplugs - can't talk with them in - I'll use my fingers to plug my ears when necessary. I rarely wear earplugs when I'm in the park or on a quiet side street, to give my ears a break from all that plugging and to avoid becoming even more sensitive to sounds. ![]() Replies over two words, and the plugs come out, and I pray it's a quick conversation. If someone says "hi" or "nice shirt" (or whatever!) I usually hear them, and I'll nod and say "hi" or "thanks!" - low voice, plugs in. Yeah, it can be a challenge to walk one block. I'll fully insert them when necessary (police sirens, idiots with portable Bluetooth speakers, etc.). ![]() That allows some noise in (necessary with my tinnitus and for safety reasons), but it takes the edge off and also avoids occlusion. When I'm by myself, I always use foam earplugs (skull screws), inserted halfway (or so). But I force myself out, even though it's not particularly enjoyable. My tinnitus is severe (10/10 and 24/7, 365 days a year), and I'll find any excuse to stay inside and not risk a noise incident. Nothing is too mundane or too obvious to be mentioned, so responses welcome. Especially if there are any people who became afraid of noise and then managed to adjust back to functioning again. So I want to know how tinnitus sufferers deal with living in society. I don't know if I can battle this tinnitus beast that has been punishing me for years. I want to adopt an attitude of "live or die trying" but I don't know if I have the strength to do this. Ok not in the immediate future, but that would be the path. I either manage to live a semblance of a normal life or end up homeless. Not doing so is not really an option for me. How do you succeed of moving through this loud world with your tinnitus? Do you always use hearing protection? Then how do you communicate with people if you can't hear them properly - Do you just nod your head and hope that works and move on? Ideally I would like to just go outside via cars to wherever I need and spend time indoors in places like shops, malls, restaurants, etc. The inability of going outside more often is interfering with my life and I want to know if anyone had this reluctance of going outside and managed to get past it. I don't feel pain from sounds per say, but my tinnitus has increased from sounds steadily with time. I think I am one of the bad cases of tinnitus, or at least a bad case of phonophobia. I am afraid of going outside, or more precisely, of the loud expected and unexpected noises that await outside.
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