This is Your Brain on Noise
Forgive my language. When I first read Dr. J.J. Eggermont’s book Noise and the Brain, my first thought was, “Oh, shit.” Because noise is far worse for our hearing and brain health than I was ever taught as an audiologist. Especially for developing hearing systems in children and teens. My more professional book review, This […]
Protecting Hearing at Concerts
Images by Jan L. Mayes taken at Vancouver, BC, Canada concert on Avatar Going Hunting Tour 2022. Whether it’s pop, rock, or country, amplified music at concerts is loud enough to damage hearing health. I’m an old bat in my 50’s and have tinnitus. That doesn’t stop me from going to see my favourite bands […]
What Tinnitus Taught Me
Yes, that’s me on the cover! I’m sharing some of my current coping tools after being asked to write about how having tinnitus (and decreased sound tolerance) inspired my work as an audiologist: What Tinnitus Taught Me. I come from the dark days of the 1980s when “nothing could be done” for my tinnitus distress. […]
Online Resources for Tinnitus and Hyperacusis
These links to free online resources include research, coping information, peer support, prevention, and social media, mainly related to tinnitus and decreased sound tolerance. This includes pain (hyperacusis), dislike or hate (misophonia), and fear (phonophobia) of everyday sounds that don’t affect people with typical hearing health. I can’t recommend or endorse specific resources. I hope […]
Tinnitus & Hyperacusis Emergency Lifelines
This is a list of suicide prevention resources. If you’re struggling with depression or distress and thinking of hurting yourself, you are not alone. There are millions of people around the world trying their best to cope with tinnitus and hyperacusis. Resources include live chat and helplines or lifelines to call or text. If you […]
Tinnitus Q & A
I did my best to answer a hard question in the Summer 2021 issue of Tinnitus Today: Tinnitus can be unsettling, but it is seldom a sign of serious disease. It’s on page 30 of this issue. Share on twitter Share on facebook Share on linkedin
New Cover for Tinnitus Toolbox Hyperacusis Handbook
I’m updating the abridged second edition ebook and paperback cover from a blue ear and swirl to a more stylized 3D darker cover by a professional graphic designer. Hope everyone likes it as much as I do. Share on twitter Share on facebook Share on linkedin
When Hearing Aids Don’t Work
[Originally published at silencity.com] Many people with hearing difficulties delay getting help because they’re told hearing aids don’t work. But in my experience, properly fitted hearing aids can improve communication and quality of life for people with hearing difficulties. Hearing aids are worn on each ear and come in different styles. Prescription hearing aids are […]
Neuromodulation is Not a New Tinnitus Treatment
A recent Scientific American article covers tinnitus treatment research that isn’t new. The treatment described is neuromodulation or bimodal neuromodulation described in the Body Therapy chapter of Tinnitus Toolbox Hyperacusis Handbook. This is a noninvasive paired stimulation approach using electric impulses to the face. The research is still weak with no control groups, no tinnitus […]
Hyperacusis and Gaming Soundtracks
Regular everyday sounds are physically painful for people with hyperacusis or decreased sound tolerance. This means sometimes we need to use hearing protection to cope when other people don’t need any. Sound quality is an important factor. For example, metallic higher pitch sound sources usually hurt more than natural lower pitch sound sources. This means […]