Products
Please Note: The Hyperacusis Network accepts no advertising on its website or newsletters. However, there are products that have stood the test of time and have been found to be very helpful to patients with hyperacusis. It is important to emphasize that hyperacusis patients should never wear ear protection constantly because it will likely deepen their sensitivity to sound and make it harder for them to recover (re-establish their tolerance to sound). However, when the patient enters areas which are loud, especially over 85 decibels, ear protection is necessary (especially for the hyperacusis patient) until they are able to complete retraining therapy which is described in the link on our website titled “What Can Be Done.” These products have been found to be helpful. Some of these products are sold directly from the network at cost and are available to members of the network. Remember – the network is free.
Be sure to include your complete mailing address including zip code and email address in case it is returned to us as undeliverable. This way we can check back with you to clarify the information you have supplied to us as your address. If possible, type out your address or print it in a format that is most legible. Too often individuals print, and it is hard to tell read some letters and numbers which are crucial to getting these supplies to you.
Prices shown for the products below include postage to anywhere in the world. Payment must be made in US dollars (no credit cards are accepted)
Pink Noise CD
$40.00 (US) $50.00 (International) International orders require your telephone number on the custom form. Your purchase includes an analog unfiltered pink noise CD (Single track, 73 continuous minutes) in WAV. format made specifically for individuals with decreased sound tolerance (DST), a six page detailed guideline explaining the mechanics of pink noise, how to proceed with sound therapy in the comfort of your own home with the help of your local audiologist or ENT who will test your Loudness Discomfort Levels (LDL’s) and how to track your progress.
The network will also accept a personal check, bank check, or US dollars to:
The Hyperacusis Network
4417 Anapaula Lane
Green Bay, Wisconsin 54311-9743
16GB Pink Noise Flashdrive
$60.00 (US) $70.00 (International) International orders require your telephone number on the customs form. Your purchase includes an analog unfiltered pink noise CD (Single track, 73 continuous minutes) in WAV. format made specifically for individuals with decreased sound tolerance (DST), a six page detailed guideline explaining the mechanics of pink noise, how to proceed with sound therapy in the comfort of your own home with the help of your local audiologist or ENT who will test your Loudness Discomfort Levels (LDL’s) and how to track your progress.
The network will also accept a personal check, bank check, or US dollars to:
The Hyperacusis Network
4417 Anapaula Lane
Green Bay, Wisconsin 54311-9743
3M Flesh Toned Earplugs
$18.00 (US) $25.00 (International) Your purchase includes 36 individually wrapped flesh colored earplugs made by 3M and labeled ‘Noise Filters.’ They are not available in retail stores. Foam earplugs provide maximum ear protection. Because they are foam, they are very comfortable.
The network will also accept a personal check, bank check, or US dollars to:
The Hyperacusis Network
4417 Anapaula Lane
Green Bay, Wisconsin 54311-9743
Hi-Fidelity Earplugs
One of particular interest is the inexpensive Hi-Fidelity earplugs. ETY•Plugs® are the world’s highest fidelity non-custom earplugs. They reduce most noise to safe levels while preserving the clarity of speech and the richness of music. ETY•Plugs® are configured to replicate the natural response of the ear canal so that when sound enters the earplug, it is reproduced unchanged, the same as the ear would hear it, only quieter. They also offer earplugs for children. Learn more or purchase here
Earmuffs
Earmuffs provide maximum protection from noise of all frequencies. They are typically used in areas where there is very loud noise. Important features to consider are: price, weight (best to have lightweight earmuffs), compact size (some fold up for easy storage), comfort of the ear pads, the amount of pressure the tension of the earmuff exerts on the head and the noise reduction rating (NRR). Sometimes hyperacusis patients believe that if they use a 30 NRR rated earmuff with a pair of foam earplugs with a 30 NRR rating that they will achieve total protection from sound to the tune of 56 decibels. This is false. Sound is conducted through our skeletal structure, so it is not possible to achieve this kind of result. Hyperacusis must be careful not to wear earmuffs too much. The more we deprive our ears from sound, the more sensitive they will become. We must always keep them active to re-establish our tolerances to sound. However, if a hyperacusis patient needs to use a hammer, mow the lawn, use a snow blower, vacuum the carpeting, or perhaps even unload a dishwasher – an earmuff can help us get through the task. One of the best earmuffs that have performed well over the years have been the Thunder earmuffs. They are comfortable, lightweight, and are very economical. Learn more or purchase here
Noise Cancellation Headphones
Noise Cancellation Headphones have been on the market for several years. Unfortunately, many people think they are made to cancel out all noise. Earmuffs cancel out all noise – not noise cancellation headsets. These headsets are somewhat of a technological marvel. They are made to cancel out low frequency sound yet allow the user to hear other sounds perfectly clear. They are excellent at cancelling out the sound of interior airplane noise, ventilation noise in a vehicle, the sound of the fan on a refrigerator and the hum that comes from your computer. Medium and high frequency sounds are not cancelled at all so do not make the mistake of buying these units with this kind of expectation. The best noise cancellation headphones on the market right now are made by Bose. Learn more or purchase here
Sound Level Meters
This is a very useful tool in determining the decibel level of product or surroundings. People with hyperacusis often worry about the potential noise that ‘might’ be generated in their environment by attending a certain event or in accomplishing a specific task. This is called phonophobia. It makes sense that if we feel our hyperacusis resulted from overexposure to noise, we want to do anything possible to prevent our condition from worsening. Given that, we sometimes tend to over-worry about things. I mean we might choose to refrain from participating in certain events or accomplishing certain tasks when it would not hurt us at all particularly if we are wearing ear protection at the time. Having said all of that, let us use an example of what I am trying to say here. Let us say we want to buy a vacuum cleaner, or just use the vacuum cleaner we already have, but worry that with hyperacusis, we can no longer do this task. Do this – have someone in your family test the decibel level of the vacuum cleaner with the Sound Level Meter.
If you are buying a vacuum cleaner you will be surprised at the wide range of noise generated by different vacuum cleaners. This can guide you on purchasing the most noise friendly vacuum cleaner. If you are buying a product, do not be bashful about asking the salesclerk to start up (run) a product you would like to buy to test its decibel level. Back to the example: Let us pretend the vacuum cleaner tests at 90 decibels. Now, a good pair of earmuffs (which reduces any noise by about 30 decibels) would reduce the sound of this task from 90 decibels – minus 30 decibels (using earmuffs) = a remainder of 60 decibels. How loud is 60 decibels? Well, normal conversation is about 65 decibels. If you can tolerate normal conversation, then you can vacuum with earmuffs.