[indiansummersky]

Hi,

While we often explore the effect of dp/dr on our eyesight, not that much is said about hearing.

As a pretext, I don't experience auditory hallucinations...although every once in a while I hear a very loud sound just as I'm about to fall asleep! (but this is pre-dp/dr and, I think, quite normal).

My curiousness lies in wondering whether others have experienced a decrease in their hearing capabilities since they became dp/dr'd. I know that around the time dp/dr initially presented in me I noticed tinnitus (specifically a high-pitched ringing), which I had never had before except for periods of less than 24 hours, after clubbing. I also seem to have somewhat poor hearing and when I'm in a noisy environment, like a bar, I can't completely make out what people a metre away from me are saying (while others around me can).

This could just be part and parcel of the fact that my dp/dr first kicked up after I had been scuba diving for 7 weeks...I may actually have concurrently damaged my ears. On the other hand, maybe hearing takes a hit in addition to sight. A temporary reduction in auditory functioning while derealised would definitely add to the sensation of being cut off from real experience.

 

[Guest]

i cant tell really its been a year since i was normal and i cant remember what it was like, i think my hearing is alright, i think its not our perception that is affected the most

 

[jft]

I have a heckuva time discerning voices in crowded rooms. I am sure our hearing is ok. What happens here may be the same in theory as the eye stuff. Too much stimulation to the senses when these senses are in a dp/dr/anxiety state. You put me in a Lutheran funeral lucheon with 80 old ladies gabbing at the same time in the church basement and I am ready to retreat big time. I don't know the why of it all, I just go nuts in any situation like this and the auditory is the main promblem (and the lights of course).
I find tinnitus interesting, becasue others have complained of it. I thought mine was solely from shooting too many howitzers. How can one wind up with tinnitus...a symptom of actual physical damage to the ear...from dp/dr? Recreational drug users have complained of it. Any of you that never did drugs have tinnitus?
What a strange disorder we all have. The mind is an amazing thing when it fires on all cylinders, and equally as amazing when it does not.
jftmn

 

[[rula]]

one of the symptoms of anxiety, adrenaline rush, fight or flight responce, etc, is actually a hightened sense of both vision and hearing. I definitely hear things louder now, almost like a hang-over type annoying loud. still have problem discerning voices in a crowded room, i think that's kinda separate though.

i did have my hearing checked because of my tinnitus, and there's nothing wrong with our hearing. it's anxiety yet again....muscles in the shoulders/neck/jaw tighten up when we're anxious/stressed and not enough oxygen is making its way to the muscles. the jaw muscles are closely connected with the ears, and end up pinching nerves that cause the ringing, hissing, or whatever. muscle relaxants make the ringing stop, so it's definitely not ear damage.

-r

 

[jft]

Thanks Rula. God I love knowledge. jft

 

[hangingon77]

yes....anxiety with dp/dr can do all manner of things...we think we have physical things wrong with us....but in this state our senses are in a different mode...everything seems altered...i have had problems with major (major is probably too strong a word :wink cognitive disruptions....where i can't focus on the simplest tasks...and then i feel like a total fool about it. I'd have to have someone explain something to me again and again and it still won't come across...of course I'm thinking I look like a fool...but I've had pride well up in me, where i know this is all due to my problems and not cuz i'm dense and i'll get defensive.

:wink:

 

[university girl]

I have a terrible time hearing others when background noise is present (while others can hear fine).

Also, I often cannot figure out in what direction a sound is coming from, ie. a car door being closed in a parking lot or someone saying something outdoors.

Initally, with the onset of my DP, this symptom was so disturbing that I had my hearing tested and I bet you can guess the results... my hearing is excellent. I am 100% sure this is part of my DP/DR.

As with visual stimulation, I believe our brains have a difficult time filtering out unnecessary stimuli and so we take all sounds and all sights in equally leaving us unable to focus.