Hello everyone,
I am part of the 'Migraine', 'Hearing loss group' and am crossing over to your group. I am a member of HLAA and have had hearing loss since birth but didn't know about until I was 48 years old. I had gone through life knowing something was wrong but couldn't pin it down, until one day, a Medical Director at the place I was working - told me I was hard of hearing. WOW - what a revelation. I was dumbfounded and it was never the same after that. The years after that brought many diagnoses including moderate to severe hearing loss, hypercusis, tinnitus, vertigo and migraine syndrome. They can't test me for Meniere's disease because I have two aneurysms in my brain stem. I have a sister who has Menieres and is treated for it. I am not treated for it but instead have medication for the migraines.

Because of my brain history which includes three Motor vehicle accidents including one time coma, the neuroscience physicians and audiologists have only been able to provide me with physician therapy, water therapy, neck therapy, vision therapy; I can use a cane for stability, and I have bilateral hearing aids that I use to tone down the noise level to be sure I am not exposed to loud noise or vibrations. The hypercusis acts up when there is loud booming noises and vibrating music. I do not attend any concerts, music festivals, large crowds where their is noise above 90 dBs or any blinking lights since they will start my migraines. Sensitivities to anything that is strobe like will bring on migraines that are hard to stop,
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/listen-infographic
https://www.hearingloss.org/hearing-help/hearing-loss-basics/
My audiologist has worked with my hearing aids to tone them down so that I can comfortably hear wherever I go. I know where I can go and where I should not go which of course limits me. If a place is too loud, I have programs on my hearing aids that I can use and lower my hearing aids to accommodate the noise level. However, if it is too loud, I don't stay too long or I just leave and try someplace else. I usually then write a letter to the establishment and let them know they are a hazard to the people who are going there and tell them I will not be a customer to their place -giving them information from the national websites on hearing health statistics to show what happens to ears over time.
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing-loss-older-adults
https://www.hearingloss.org/hearing-help/hearing-loss-basics/
48 million Americans have some sort of hearing loss and you / I are in that number. Our kids are in that growing number as well. Sobering isn't it?
Eloise /Hearing Loss Support Specialist
and HLAA Member