Your Guide to Acoustic Shock

What is acoustic shock?

’Acoustic shock’ is the common name for a short high pitch/intensity sound that is transmitted through a telephone or radio headset.  There is no identified individual cause of these sounds, but one cause could be interference on the telephone line.  These shocks mainly affect call handlers and the call handler may feel shocked or startled by the sound immediately following the “shock”.  These “shocks” can cause permanent damage to the hearing and more often tinnitus and hyperacusis.

Tinnitus

Tinnitus is the name given to the condition of noise 'in the ears' and/or 'in the head'.  The noise is described by sufferers as ringing, whistling, buzzing and humming.

The noise(s) may be heard in one ear, both ears or in the middle of the head.  The pitch of the noise varies from low, medium or high-pitched. In more severe cases the noise may be continuous but more often this comes and goes in irregular patterns.

Tinnitus Treatment

After a careful evaluation, your doctor may find an identifiable cause, such as exposure to excessive levels of noise and be able to treat or make recommendations to treat the tinnitus.  Once you have had a thorough evaluation, an essential part of treatment is your own understanding of the tinnitus (what has caused it, and your options for treatment).

In many cases, there is no specific treatment for tinnitus.  It may simply go away on its own, or it may be a permanent disability that the patient will have to "live with."  Your doctor may be provide equipment such as a tinnitus masker which is a machine that creates “white noise” which distracts the mind from the noise of the tinnitus, or a sound pillow or even refer you for tinnitus retraining therapy.

Hyperacusis

This is an increased sensitivity to sounds.  Often pain or discomfort is felt when sounds that most people are able to tolerate are heard.  People with hyperacusis are not all affected by the same type of sounds.