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Hyperacusis after Stapedectomy

Posted by rinagelman49 @rinagelman49, Apr 10, 2023

Have anybody who had Stapedectomy experienced Hyperacusis (super sensitivity to the sound ) and sound distortion for longer than 6 months?
Sharing your journey through that would be highly appreciated.

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larissapalu | @larissapalu | Mar 15 11:40am
In reply to @marthabadger "Greetings! I had a right ear stapedotomy for hearing loss due to otosclerosis in January 2024...." + (show)
@marthabadger

Greetings! I had a right ear stapedotomy for hearing loss due to otosclerosis in January 2024.
I am aware that my hearing improved after the 2024 right stapedotomy, according to audiology tests.
However, my distorted hearing continues; I hear static and buzzing in my right hear that occurs in tandem with loud sounds, such as people's voices, being on an airplane, driving, watching TV, etc.
What I find most unusual is that the distortion goes away if I partially open my jaw and thrust it forward. I hear beautifully if I do that!
Have you ever heard of a hearing aid or external prosthesis that might help hold my eardrum/ear canal/estuation tube open in such a way that it would imitate thrusting my jaw forward? Or an ear device that might be able to filter out the distortion and let only the beautiful hearing in? A regular hearing aid would only increase the volume of sounds and thus the distortion.
Thank you for considering my inquiry.
Martha Badger, PhD RN

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Martha,
I could cry reading this. I also had a stapendecotmy in early 2024. I had 9 months of amazing hearing until Jan 13th of this year. I have been having all of the exact same symptoms you are having. And I can also briefly relive the distortion with pushing my jaw forward. We have tried multiple things but I am really struggling to cope with the discomfort. I can no longer enjoy the things I used to.
Let me know if you are able to find anything out or have tried anything that is useful.
Grateful to have found this!
Larissa

REPLY
marthabadger | @marthabadger | Mar 16 2:31pm

Hi Larissa,
How amazing to meet someone else who is also able to relieve their hyperacusis sound distortion by changing the position of their jaw! Healthcare providers are stumped.
I am early in my journey of discovery, so haven't tried anything specific. I am considering revision stapedotomy surgery but, so far, the more I read about my symptoms, the less that sounds like the ideal course of action.
What have you tried?
Has anyone suggested to you that the piston in your ear is out of place or "loose"? A CT scan showed that my piston is in the correct position, but wasn't able to determine if it was loose (i.e., at the crimp around the end of the incus bone).
Very best wishes to you! I literally know what you are going through.
Martha

REPLY
1 reply
larissapalu | @larissapalu | Mar 17 4:57pm
In reply to @marthabadger "Hi Larissa, How amazing to meet someone else who is also able to relieve their hyperacusis..." + (show)
@marthabadger

Hi Larissa,
How amazing to meet someone else who is also able to relieve their hyperacusis sound distortion by changing the position of their jaw! Healthcare providers are stumped.
I am early in my journey of discovery, so haven't tried anything specific. I am considering revision stapedotomy surgery but, so far, the more I read about my symptoms, the less that sounds like the ideal course of action.
What have you tried?
Has anyone suggested to you that the piston in your ear is out of place or "loose"? A CT scan showed that my piston is in the correct position, but wasn't able to determine if it was loose (i.e., at the crimp around the end of the incus bone).
Very best wishes to you! I literally know what you are going through.
Martha

Jump to this post

Martha
I unfortunately am on my 2nd stapenectomy. My first one the piston was pushed out of place by scar tissue. This one was AMAZING for 9 months. This came out of no where on Jan 13th. I have tried endless things - Flonase, nasal rinses, decongestants, antihistamine
- paper patch on the ear drum
- negative nasal scope
- high dose steroids
- CT scan. Shows piston is in correct place.
- Intra oral massage
- PT of my jaw muscles
My MD thinks this is a vestibular migraine, but I doubt a migraine would last 8 weeks and have the relief of the jaw movements. I also will occasionally create a "vacuum" with my hand and the hearing improves too. This has to be structural.
I have really started to isolate myself and slip into a depression. The things I enjoy revolve around hearing - karaoke, theater, convertible rides, music/dance parties. I can't enjoy any of them.
One other odd finding is that my nose canceling ear pods will not noise cancel on this operative side.
I'm so sorry we are going Thur this. It feels a bit lighter knowing there is someone else who is in my same boat.
Larissa

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