Hyperacusis months after concussion
hey guys,
just really wanted to open a discussion for my specific set of symptoms since I feel very alone in this right now. looking both for advice and just to vent a little bit.
about 6 months ago, I had a bad fall at work and got a concussion. id experienced a concussion a couple years prior, so was familiar with the symptoms, but this time they lasted a lot longer. the whole situation was paired with a lack of support (living in the city and paying rent on my own) and a really toxic work environment. I ended up having to pay out of my own pocket to see a neurologist (got CT and MRI brain scans showing nothing) and an audiologist (also nothing physically wrong). I was also seeing a chiropractor at the time who helped me with whiplash injuries, as well as a psychologist for mental support. the main symptoms were between brain fog which lasted over a month after the injury (treated with amitriptyline) and weird hearing issues.
once most of the concussion symptoms died down, my ears started playing up. it started with sound becoming really muffled, sometimes fading in and out from one side to the other. I would get pretty loud ringing in the ears as well, but this didn't last as long. it eventually reached a point where sound became unbearably loud. at the time I lived next to a VERY busy road, but I had lived in that place for a few years so generally was used to it. this time though, the sound would physically hurt my ears. it got to a point where I had to wear ear plugs to bed, which in turn caused an ear infection (awesome).
but when I say pain, I mean an ache that radiates to my throat as well. I have a history of clenching my jaw with stress, so some say it could be related, but it's way different to that - that's usually tension in the joint that radiates to my upper body/head. when I look in the mirror, I can see my throat is red, and I can also feel it in my inner ear. it definitely worsens with sound exposure, and I think it is often very delayed. Ive also been getting this weird form of tinnitus that feels/sounds like thumping in each ear that comes out of no where and is very uncomfortable.
told this to my neurologist at a $200 appointment, and she basically just shrugged. when I finally got referred to an audiologist, he concluded my ears were physically fine, and that it was probably hyperacusis and would get better over time. if I was still concerned, the next step would be an ENT. but at the time (a few months ago) I was tired of spending money only for doctors to just tell me nothing was there/there was no solution. so instead I moved back in with my parents and tried to change up my life in order to move on from my stressful situation.
while I am less stressed now, the pain in my ears/throat is still there. its been 6 months since my injury. my ability to tolerate sound depends on the day. Ive seen sources that say it could be a nervous system response (researched acoustic shock and tensor tympani), and that avoiding sounds will make it worse. I do notice that thinking about it does make it a bit worse, but even when I'm not, the ache is still there. Ive always had slightly sensitive hearing, but used to love going to concerts, clubs, etc. but since then it's been hard for me to go out and even interact with people/go to work because everything just feels so over stimulating. I still do it because I know I need to, but I still come home with this pain in my ears.
if you've gotten through all this, all I really want to know from you guys is whether:
a.) you have ever experienced something like this before
b.) this sounds like a case of typical hyperacusis or something different
c.) whether it's worth seeing an ENT and what kind of treatment they would offer me.
really need the validation as my previous employer essentially gaslighted me and my doctor's seemingly had no idea what they were dealing with 🥲
thank you so much.