I wanted to share this in case it helps someone here.

I have been living with hyperacusis and tinnitus for about 10 years. My hyperacusis started after a concussion and whiplash, and then got much worse after a loud horn went off right next to my ear. From there, everyday sounds like sinks, fans, toilets, etc. became distorted and painfully loud.

For years, my life went back and forth between normal and nightmare. At my worst, I had multiple tones in one ear, terrible sleep, and constant sound reactivity.

Nothing really made sense until I was introduced to the idea that this might be tied to migraine-related brain activity and a dysregulated nervous system.

Instead of chasing a fix for my ears, I started asking:

What would actually calm and stabilize my nervous system?

That question guided everything I did after that.

Here’s what I focused on and why:

Sleep (foundation)
Poor sleep was clearly making everything worse and keeping my system in a stressed state. I made sleep non-negotiable. Same schedule, 7–8 hours minimum. This was probably the biggest lever.

Diet + removing stimulants
If this was neurological or migraine-related, alcohol, caffeine, and certain foods could be driving sensitivity. I eliminated alcohol and caffeine completely and focused on a stable, low-histamine approach.

Supplements (for support, not a cure)

I chose these specifically based on migraine and nervous system support:

• Magnesium glycinate - Magnesium helps regulate the nervous system and reduce neural excitability. I chose glycinate because it’s well-absorbed and more calming. This helped take the edge off my baseline stress and improved my sleep, which was critical.
• B2 (riboflavin) - This is one of the most researched supplements for migraine prevention. Since I started viewing my symptoms as migraine-related, this felt like a logical way to help reduce neurological sensitivity over time.
• CoQ10 - This supports mitochondrial function and brain energy. The idea here was improving how my brain produces energy, since dysfunction there is often linked to migraines and neurological sensitivity.
• Omega-3s - These help reduce inflammation and support overall brain health. Since I was trying to calm an overreactive system, reducing inflammation felt important.
• Vitamin D - I was deficient, so this was more about fixing a baseline issue. Low vitamin D is linked to mood, immune function, and inflammation, all of which can impact the nervous system.

None of these were a direct fix, but together they helped create a more stable internal environment where healing became possible.

Medication (to lower the ceiling)

I eventually used nortriptyline and later Emgality.

I take them because my system felt too reactive to make progress on my own. Although I had made progress in the past without medication, I was willing to try anything at that point.

They reduced the intensity and volatility enough that everything else could start working together.

Nervous System Work

This became the core:

• daily mindfulness
• reducing overall stress
• movement/exercise
• creating a sense of safety

My system felt injured and overprotective, not broken. So the goal became helping it feel safe again.

Sound Exposure

Not avoiding everything, but not forcing it either. Just gradual, non-threatening reintroduction.

I also carried -15db to -25db earplugs with me everywhere. That gave me a sense of safety and control in louder environments.

And honestly, I learned the hard way:

I would never go to a restaurant, concert, movie, or any other potentially loud environment without hearing protection. Every time I ignored that, I paid for it with setbacks.

Things that made it worse for me:

• poor sleep
• caffeine and alcohol
• stress, anxiety, and anger
• skipping meals
• constantly monitoring and reacting to sound

By early 2026, I was completely symptom-free again.

I don’t think there’s one magic solution. For me, it was lowering the total stress on my system and supporting it from multiple angles at once.

If you’re in it right now, I know how brutal it can feel. I felt like I was living in my own personal hell where no one understood what I was going through or what everyday life felt like.

You have to stay hopeful. I truly believe things can get better, no matter how dark it feels.

Happy to answer any questions or go deeper if it helps.

Thank you for reading. I sincerely hope you’re able to find peace and get back to living a more normal life.