Hyperacusis after Stapedectomy

@rinagelman49, as I think you already know hyperacusis is a commonly reported by people who have had stapedotomy but that it usually resolves in one month after surgery. This study confirms:
- Hyperacusis and stapes surgery: An observation in fifty patients after stapedotomy: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33505445/

From your message, I'm assuming that the sound sensitivity has not resolved for you. What has helped you manage hyperacusis?

PS: You may also be interested in this discussion
- What can be done to help with hyperacusis? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-can-be-done-to-help-with-hyperacusis/

Yes, I had a stapedectomy in October 2020. I did get some hearing back, but not as much as I'd hoped, and my tinnitus worsened in the operated ear.

Additionally, I got hyperacusis. For me, it presents like a radio that isn't in tune to the right station: you can hear the original sound, but there is a highly distorted, buzzing version on top of it. It is not tinnitus because it happens instantly while the sound is there and then goes away.

I wonder if it is related to air pressure sometimes, because it happens a lot when there is a window open in a car and I'm driving. Just a theory though.

For me, antihistamines make it significantly worse. I realized that when I stopped used Benadryl in particular, it got better. So maybe do a review of your OTC and prescription medicines and see if that can help.

I also bought the AirPods Pro. While spendy, they can be great with the noise cancellation feature to block out unwanted sounds.

Best of luck!

flat

hello,
I have exactly the same symptoms after the otosclerosis operation. I feel like I'm going crazy because of the distortions, 7 months have passed and nothing has improved. did you find a solution? thanks in advance

I've had this problem for 7 months, the doctor doesn't know what to do, he said he's never seen a similar case. he proposed to replace the titanium prosthesis with a Teflon one. I'm desperate and I don't want to go through this intervention to replace the prosthesis because I can lose a lot of the hearing I've gained, but at the same time I feel that I would do anything to get rid of these distortions, I've recovered part of my hearing in vain if its quality is unbearable. distortions are present in almost all perceived sounds, in the car it is terrible, especially when a window is opened. I describe them as the sound of a broken speaker or a radio station not tuned correctly, or like the purring of a cat. Is it something temporary or is it a problem with the prosthesis, too long, too short, out of position...I have also found the symptoms I have in people on other forums who have not had any kind of ear surgery, it is difficult to find the problem and identify where it comes from. it's been 7 months of torment with these symptoms, mostly I stay isolated away from sounds. I regret that I did the operation but at the same time I had no choice because I could no longer hear any kind of conversation. If you have any news about your situation, I await an answer, thank you in advance and all the best!

Hi Gabriel!

Your description of a broken speaker sounds really
similar to mine.

What type of implant do you have? Mine is titanium. It could be that certain implants have a greater risk for this side effect.

On the bright side, after some research, it looks like there might be a solution that wouldn’t involve redoing your stapedectomy. I can’t post links but if you search Pubmed for “Round and Oval Window Reinforcement” you should find it.

Reinforcing the oval window might be lower risk than a new stapedectomy with less downtime. I would ask your surgeon about that!

There are also two schools of thought with hyperacusis: some say to avoid sound, and others say to slowly reintroduce sound in hopes that you might get accustomed to it. Maybe try listening to a podcast each day during your commute at a level where it rarely “crackles” and slowly bring it up to see if that helps?

For me, at this point I’ve just accepted it and learned to live around it. I would say that it should get better and has gotten better for me over time, though I can still hear it.

Talk to you soon!

flat

Hello, Flat
I have attached a picture of the model of the prosthesis that was used in the operation. I consulted with the doctor recently and I came to the fact that it is better to try the option of reinforcing the oval window, he agreed and considered that the risk is lower than replacing the prosthesis with a Teflon one. I am scheduled for March 14, 2024. He scheduled me later saying that maybe the situation with the distortions will improve and he will not have to reopen the ear. I've tried almost everything so far in the hope that maybe I can get used to these distortions...but I can't. I'd rather risk losing more of the hearing I've gained than stay with these distortions.
Thanks for the reply and I will keep you updated on the situation. I will come back after March 14th with an answer if the reinforcement of the oval window improved or maybe even made these horrible distortions disappear. Good health and take care of your hearing!
Gabriel.

Hi Gabriel!

Attached is a photo of my implant, it looks different - but it is odd that they are both titanium.

I wish you the best of luck on your surgery, please keep us updated on how it goes! Since our symptoms are so similar, if it works well for you I may as well try it. The success rate seems to be really good, around 80-90% with minimal risks. I will be thinking of you!

Flat

I don't know if my comment will be at all helpful, but if I had struggled for months after my stapedectomy with disturbing sounds that lowered my quality of life, reading this may have helped.
I had a stapedectomy 40 years ago, resulting in the loss of all hearing in that ear. 25 years later, I got ancochlear implant that has changed my life for the better. It has been a miracle!

What I want to share is that there may well be another option for being able to hear clearly without the disruption of negative interference. You're not at a dead end! Best Wishes.

How was your surgery and how are you today?