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Hyperacusis. Looking for recommendations

Hello everyone. Haven't posted to the forums in years but certainly been buying up all sorts of things lately. Ordered an Angstrom Stella amp that should be here next week. While the audio bug has reignited, unfortunately, so has my inability to actually enjoy music the way many of you might. If you are unfamiliar with Hyperacusis, it is the over-sensitivity to sound. Anything and everything can get very loud and sometimes painful. Sometimes it messes with my head so much I wind up half way ill for a few days. So, of course I haven't "turned it up" or anything. I've refined the DSP output through Roon to level out the peaks that really drive me nuts. However, the problem still lies within the overall mixing of most music. There's a reason things simply sound better when you do turn it up. Unfortunately, I don't get to experience that. 

So, I'm here to ask for assistance from you knowledgable folks on recommendations for speakers and, perhaps, amplifier combos that can still sound lively and engaging at low volumes (50-55dB, tops). Seems that speakers are going to be the main component at this stage so that why I posted here. But I'm looking for anything else that may be of help. While I'm typing, I thought that maybe electrostats might be a good way to go since they aren't point source (the spread would actually help I think). Hell, maybe those paired with the Angstrom would be a good fit? Maybe. Anyway. Trying not to write a book here. You get the picture. I've never tried to go the ultra-low volume route before so I don't know what would work well. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, folks!

tiggerfc

Showing 2 responses by prof

prof
3,509 posts
 

tiggerfc

I can emphathize with your plight.

For decades I've suffered from occasional debilitating bouts of hyperacusis.

That last time was only about 3 years ago when low flying jets at an air show straffed low over head (I wasn't attending the show, just found myself unluckily in their flight path).   The damage was so bad sound was distorted, painful, whisper quiet sounds hurt, my family's voices hurt, even my voice or chewing food hurt.

And at the same time I had to continue working in pro sound!  (I do sound for film/TV). 

I finally was forced in to doing what I'd put off: getting treatment. I did a form of TRT therapy specifically modelled for hyperacusis.  This involved wearing small hearing aid type devices that send soft specifically tailored noise all day in to the ears, to get the brain used to sound again, and to "re-wire" so it doesn't see it as threatening.  

Usually it takes about 18 months for full recovery.  Took me longer and while recovery wasn't full - as in being totally rid of hyperacusis - my ears are more robust than they've been in a long time.  Now my wife is always telling me to turn the sound down when I listen to music!  A good thing!

Have you had your hyperacusis treated?  Does it ever get better?

As for equipment recommendations I can't really help.  I tend to go strictly on what sound I like and plenty of different speakers have been great for me - everything from electrostatics, to omnis, to even dreaded "bright" speakers like Thiel!

One magic bullet, I find, has been my tube amplification.  It seems to simultaneously fill out the sound while still alowing for a vivid presentation.

In fact, I actually have my CJ tube pre-amp run through my other Benchmark LA4 pre-amp, so i can switch between solid state preamp or tubes in the path.  It comes in handy.  A few nights ago I was listening to a record that had a muted trumpet, which anyone with sensitive ears knows can be a killer in recordings.  They can be so sharp and bright.  This was was really thin and bright and it happened to be bothering my ears right at a sensitive frequency.  I just switched over to my tube preamp, which thickened and relaxed the sound, and then it was more comfortable to listen to.

 

 

 

prof
3,509 posts
 

 

I used to love going to movies.  Unfortunately the combo of getting hyperacusis and the stratospheric sound levels that became common, mostly ruled that out.

Especially for the big tent action flicks.

I can put in heavy duty ear plugs which are good for protecting from the higher frequencies.  But they are powerless against the bass - onscreen explosions etc send bass conducting right through the bones of my body (and ear bones) and I'll walk out of the theater with my ears screaming for a long time afterwards.

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