Disorders

Disorders can be difficult to understand. These are the ones I've covered so far.

Hyperacusis

Nystagmus

Hyperacusis

Often caused by damage done to the cochleas. It often heals; but, it can be a permanent disability.

What it is

Sufferers' cochleas treat all sounds as equally important. There is no difference in volume, only level of pain felt.

What it isn't

It is often confused with Misophobia: the fear/ avoidance of certain sounds because of the emotional triggers attached to them.

The reality

Hope?

Nothing can "be tuned out". Any noise can be startling, no matter how "quiet" they seem. It causes real, physical, long-lasting pain and migraines. Insomnia is a common side effect because of the inability to hear "quiet".

There is no treatment other than ear protection. Sadly, it can be counter-productive, causing discomfort to the ear cartilage, or a pressure migraine.

Nystagmus

Uncontrollable, rhythmic eye movements

Pictured is a visual representation of what I see when wearing my glasses. I am Nearsighted, which is corrected by my prescription (while reducing glare caused by my Astigmatism). Sadly, my Horizontal Nystagmus is impossible to correct. Because my eyes are constantly moving side-to-side, everything I see is doubled. This is why Nystagmus is the only vision issue I have that disables me in my daily life.