Hyperacussis in Children

[TiggerTiger1]

Our daughter has finally been diagnosed with hyperacussis. We are due to see an audiologist and audiovestibular physician in the next week. She started Reception in September and has had problems ever since and the school that she attends ahve not been very helpful at all even though we have discussed the condition with them and how it impacts our daughter. They just think its 'settling in' issues ... which anyone with a child who suffers from hyperacussis knows is not the case. Is there anyone who has/had a child experiencing the above. I would really appreciate some advice on how you managed the situation.or

[ICameOnTheJitney]

I suffer from it myself...undiagnosed until I was 40. I've lived with it all these years and mine is quite severe. I struggle with all kinds of noises....a chair scraping, a pan being put away...sirens are agony. It's not a pain so much as an extreme discomfort.

In school aged about 7 I remember once wishing that I could build a wall between me and everyone else and the room in general.

Anyway...that's not helping you is it....I can't give you any coping strategies other than mine which is simply to subtly put my fingers in my ears...I fold the little flaps down tightly over my earholes....I do it so nobody really notices.

Does your DD have any particular noises which she finds worst?

[ouryve]

How is she with headphones? Noise cancelling headphones, or just the use of an mp3 player with ordinary earphones can be helpful to a lot of people.

It would also be reasonable for the school to provide a quieter area, with lots of cushions to absorb sounds, which would be more comfortable for her.