Hyperacusis and Me

So its been a while now since I've been on here- apologies to all! I must confess I wanted to write but have had many challenges and here are just a few; I've been put onto Universal Credit and this  means I now get, almost £200.00 less benefit per month.  I still have the fighting spirit to get a job though and this can only be achieved if the behaviours towards disabled applicants changes. I would consider working from home. In one recent telephone conversation I was asked why don't I have hearing aids? I was stumped by the question but really I should have responded by asking why they don't have hearing aids as (1) had they heard and understood my explanation of what its like to have Hyperacusis - the opposite to deafness (2) if they had they would have understood that a person with Hyperacusis hearing is like being in the middle of an orchestra and trying to have  a conversation with someone that is 20 foot away being expected to hear and understand  then give  

It took me 3 years to be diagnosed and accessing medical help was horrendous due lack of understanding of its real impacts. How long did it take to get a diagnosis and has there been very good follow up? What other impact has having Hyperacusis had on your life?  I found explaining it difficult then I had the privilege to give a talk. I got different people in the audience to make different sounds when I indicated and read a statement. Then read the same statement without the add in noises. (A contrast could now be made) It was a lightbulb moment for all in the audience as they heard what my hearing is like all the time.  - message understood not everyone hears the same. My only regret is I didn't record the speech as it would be helpful on here now. Current treatment is a masker that I wear for  6 hours a day. This has slightly made me less sensitive to some noises but am still adversely affected by the mobile phones ringtones which when you think about it are everywhere

This was the area of my life that I found -most challenging with the condition. It became impossible to have successful face-to-face interaction and using a phone became impossible. How has this impacted on your work?

People do not understand it's the opposite to deafness and there is no control what happens when you have had exposure to your triggers. Emotionally it has been devastating as I began to have panic attacks and was later diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD). This is a condition that affects me and has prevented me from securing employment. I'm interested to know how it has had an impact on others both in work and socially.  During my journey, I found information regarding Dr Silverstein procedures helpful, I must emphasise I've not had the procedure done but it gave me hope for the future.  http://www.earsinus.com/inventions-procedures Whats your opinion? Whats been your experiences?

Greetings everyone. What I hope to do with this blog is focus on; how it has affected me, how it has effected my ability to find work, disadvantages,what it means to have Hyperacusisand be in work,  what are good practices and highlight other people's stories. Please chip in.