“Picture yourself in a movie theater. It’s dark as you take your seat. The show is about to begin. You start to enjoy your popcorn as the trailers start. They are loud but they always are, you know this. Is it your imagination or are they louder this time? You focus more on your popcorn, everything will be fine when the movie starts. The film starts to play, you’re so excited, you’ve been waiting for this one! But wait, something’s wrong, everything is not fine. The volume is way too loud. The actors sound like they are screaming and the music seems like it’s crushing down on you. A door closes on screen and the sound effect has you jumping spilling your popcorn. A car tire squeals and you look to see if its right beside you…are you going to get hit? But no, the car is safe on screen and you’re still in your seat.
You try to take a deep breath but all the sound, no! All the noise is deafening. Your ears are ringing now, you need to get out of here! This noise must stop! Who turned the volume up so loud? How could this mistake have been made? It’s so loud your stomach is feeling sick. You try to stand but a wave of dizziness knocks you back into your seat. You cry out in pain but no one responds. As you try to focus on the theatre audience, you realize you are alone. No one else hears how loud this film is…it is just you!
No one sees what is happening to you, what is happening in your head, the throbbing and pounding. The pressure keeps building, your head feels like is going to explode! You’re so tired if only you could sleep but it’s so loud and the ringing in your ears…it won’t stop! Your vision starts to blur, the pain in your head is too great. You try standing again but its no use.
You cry out loud but no one can hear you, even if they did, you’re not sure the words escaped your lips. You can’t think strait. Everything is too much, too loud, too painful and you are trapped. All you can do is wait till the movie ends. Because for you its just a bad movie experience. The worst of your life. You’ll complain and get free tickets and apologies. But not me. For me the movie never ends. For me every sound of every second of every day is too much, too loud, too painful and I’m trapped. Someone has left the volume control of everyday life, turned up to maximum. This is life with Hyperacusis, Tinnitus and migraines…this is my life.
Writer by Rosemarie Neumayer
Check out some of Rosemarie’s crafts, drawings, and stuffed animals on her website: http://www.rosemarieneumayer.com
Hyperacusis Awareness: Sound Sensitivity Treatment 