<HTML>Dear: PTG forum,       I wrote a very short e-mail yesterday on hearing trouble. I wanted to see if I got a response, or if I did correctly. I did get some responses and I am glad, thank you for those who did!       I want to begin by saying that this will be a rather long letter. My situation is rather odd, and It would be very much appreciated if anyone can shed some light on my condition, or is suffering from the same problem.       To begin, my name is Simone Tucci, and I live in Toronto, Canada. I am 26 years old and I have been tuning pianos professionally since 1998. I am not a member of the PTG though I do get their monthly magazine. When I began my career I had perfect hearing, and no genetic hearing disorders in the family. I was tuning an average of 3 pianos a day sometime 5-6 and sometimes 1, it varied. I also began to work at an institution where there were many big grands in very small studios. I was coming home at night with headaches, like I blasted my ears for too long every day. So I decided to wear ear plugs. So I just bought ear plugs at the local store, 3M brand (foam) were the ones that I was using. I thought that they were great I could hear everything that I needed and I was protecting myself. I wore them for a period of 2 years, every piano I tuned I wore them. Until last October 2000, that is when the problem began.       I first noticed that my ears began to ring (tinnitus) mostly in my right ear. Then I noticed that when I would do something like drop a part or a screw on my work bench my ear drums would have some sort of popping reflex reaction. It felt almost as if they popped from out of their footing, I hope that makes sense! I sort of ignored that symptom, I didn't think that it was important. So I saw my doctor and he sent me to an ENT. I had my hearing tested and it came out completely normal. The audiologist recommended that I get a pair of ER-15 musicians plugs, and continue tuning.       So I did. I did have to wait for an appointment to see the audiologist to fit the moulds for the ER-15 plugs, so I went on doing what I was doing. Then in October 2000 I noticed that is really began to get worse. I noticed that kitchen noises bothered me, and in the bathroom, and people talking to me really blew my mind. My ears couldn't take it. I then tried to tune without the ear plugs and it was Impossible!! I thought that my ear drums were going to explode. so I got scared. I went to my doctor and he sent me to a Hyperacusis clinic. Once there, I saw an audiologist and told him the whole story. He said that it was a classic case where I became excessively sensitive through the use of improper ear plugs. He tested my hearing and again it came out as normal as can be and then he arranged for me to have a ER-15 ear plug fitting. (For those of you who don't know of the Musicians Plugs there is a ton of stuff on-line.) He also said that I should have a radio on in the background with it set in between stations, to hear the static or white noise, this will help to desensitise my ears (brain really) from sound, and it should take 2-3 months. I was glad to hear that.       So the months pasted and no change. I kept going back for visits and telling them that there was no change and they said give it more time. After 6 months I went back and asked them to put me on the TRT ( tinnitus retraining therapy) this also treats Hyperacusis. So they did a test on me to see if I was Hyperacusic and I am not. So I told them what do I need to do??? they arranged for me to have a ABR (acoustic Brainstem response test) to see if there was a problem with the acoustic nerve. Had the test, and came out completely normal. I asked them What do I do? They recommended that I take Valium. I said that that is not the answer, that will only dope me up and cover the disorder and not heal it in anyway.       So I began to seek out other doctors, I saw a Marshall Chasin, a very known audiologist that works with musicians, and he did a test to see I was Hyperacusic and technically I am not. All the other audiologists agreed with the similar tests. He didn't know what it could be. I also saw an Otologist, and he did know ethier. He said try Valium.I saw in total 12 doctors between audiologists, ETS, Otologists, and I also tried acupuncture.       I have now stopped tuning, because it's unbearable and trying to take it easy. I am seeking a Homeopathic doctor to see if that can help. I have also been researching hyperacusis online and I do think that is what I have, there are different forms of it. I am going to demand to do the TRT so that I can continue with my life. In addition I also had an MRI and that showed everything to be normal.       Just to clarify what is happening with my ears. They are (the ear drums I think) very sensitive to sound. People talking specially women, and my own voice, and sudden volume changes, and if at the piano, the higher register. Not all the notes some here and there. I have distortion to somewhat loud sounds, but the strangest thing is that if I hear one sound at the time that is the biggest problem for me. If I go to some dance club I'm fine, weird!!       I want to thank all of you people for taking the time in reading this situation that I am in, and if anybody can tell me something, or is in the same situations or has questions please, please e-mail me. I got a computer just to get help from anybody.       Sincerely, Simone Tucci Simone Tucci Toronto, Ontario, Canada        </HTML>