The Road That Doesn't End / Quiet Hobbies

 

Living with Hyperacusis & Tinnitus from my personal experience seems like “the Road That Doesn’t End”. I have had both conditions for five years now, and nothing so far has made me any better, other than protecting my ears with hearing protection and staying in “quiet” to the best of my abilities.

Some folks (family, friends, loved ones) can express to the sufferer that the pain that they experience is just temporary and it does not last forever. I would like to think this, and I used to tell myself this in the beginning stages of my illness, but unfortunately it is not true, and this goes for 90 percent of the cases I have encountered in the last five years. 

I think it’s about manageability to some degree and keeping busy, keeping the mind off the conditions somehow, but for some sufferers their Hyperacusis & Tinnitus is so severe that their illness is all that they can think about, it’s pounding 24/7, there is no escape. Focusing on a book is too hard, watching a movie with closed captions is too hard, even texting can become exhausting after a while, and this is what some people who don’t have Hyperacusis & Tinnitus do not understand I believe, family friends and loved ones, and it is hard for the sufferer to transpire, when the correct information about these conditions is not online anywhere written by professionals. It’s because the research is still being done, there is no cure for Hyperacusis & Tinnitus (yet). I don’t think the cure will be coming anytime soon, and this is why it is the never ending road for now.

It’s about keeping busy as I mentioned - quiet hobbies if people can manage. Painting, colouring, drawing, writing, photography, online design, reading, watching TV & movies with closed captions or a bit of sound if you can handle, knitting, quiet cooking, gardening etc. Even a hobby can be connecting with other sufferers to support one another, raising awareness for Hyperacusis & Tinnitus as well. There are things to do, but it’s the illness that keeps going and doesn’t end, so it's about passing the time until' there is a cure. 

For some Hyperacusis & Tinnitus gets better over time, for some it gets worse. Every case is unique in it’s own way from what I have seen over the years. It all depends on the person’s body & brain chemistry & pathology. For most the ailments do not fully get better, ever, and that is what some people other than the sufferer do not understand, and they need to understand. Again, the patients are the ones experiencing the conditions, so they know what is best for them. 

Thank you for listening, so much love!. 

David Vance.