How can I improve my hyperacusis?
Hello, two years ago I experienced an acoustic trauma that left me with an annoying tinnitus. I’ve had medical examinations and I don’t have any significant hearing loss. However, I noticed a lower tolerance threshold for sounds. Since I became aware of it (two years ago), I developed the bad habit of protecting my hearing very often during the day (with earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones). I think this may have increased my sensitivity to noise.
I don’t think I have severe hyperacusis because in some public settings (like shopping malls, etc.) I can manage without earplugs, or I only put them on if it starts to feel too noisy. However, in daily life some sounds (like cutlery hitting a plate when I put it down) bother me.
Now I’m trying to use earplugs less and less, even at home in everyday situations (before, I used them almost all the time except during quiet moments). Is this a good idea?