How do I find some relief for this ear and head pressure I get now? How do I manage my sensory overload when I go to the shops? Is it because of my hearing loss?

Hello Chris,

Thank you for reaching out to StrokeLine via ‘Ask a Health Professional’. I am sorry to hear about your issues with your ear, head pressure and sensory overload when going out. We recognise how difficult this must be to manage and how frustrating it must be to not have any answers. It sounds like you have exhausted many avenues that we would also recommended, so I apologise if we cannot provide you with additional support.

Synapse, Australia’s Brain Injury Organisation, has some information about hearing impairment after a brain injury, including tips that may be helpful here: https://synapse.org.au/fact-sheet/hearing-impairment-after-a-brain-injury/. You may also call them at 1800 673 074 as they may be able to provide you with alternative supports.

Have you seen a Vestibular physiotherapist?  A stroke can affect the parts of the brain which control your vestibular system. This system helps to control balance and body position and includes certain areas of your brain (often the cerebellum or brain stem) and your inner ear. Problems with any parts of the vestibular system may lead to some of your symptoms. Often, Vestibular physios target more dizziness or balance symptoms, but talk with your specialists about whether they may be able to support you.

You may also be interested in looking into a chronic pain management plan, or a pain clinic. Pain Australia may help with navigating pain services near you at (02) 6232 5588 or www.painaustralia.org.au. It's worth considering a Pain management clinic as they provide a multidisciplinary service approach that provides education, comprehensive assessment, intervention and rehabilitation to clients with a diagnosis of persistent pain or discomfort of more than 3 months duration

Some tangible strategies in managing shopping with your sensory overload would be to shop online, visit shop at times when they do not have a lot of traffic, or visit shops like Woolworth who have a Quiet Hour between 10:30am and 11:30am on Tuesdays: https://www.woolworthsgroup.com.au/au/en/media/news-archive/2019/woolworths-rolls-out-quiet-hour-to-select-stores-across-australia.html

Others include:

• allow extra time to process instructions or conversation
• try ear plugs or noise-cancelling headphones to help with sound sensitivities

If you would like more information or support, please do not hesitate to contact us on StrokeLine 1800 787 653 or email strokeline@strokefoundation.org.au. We are available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm AEST. 

Kind regards, 

Karina and Kath

No I haven't seen any kind of therapists yet because my strokes were not diagnosed when I went to hospital I seem to have to navigate my own recovery for the last year and and a half. Every doctor I go to just seems to focus on me returning to work because i can walk and talk and don't show any phsyical disability. Thanks for your help 

Hi Chris,

You may find this advice from Toni handy about managing sensory overload.

I hope that it helps.

Diana  

Thanks Diana, Toni's story and my own are very similar. 

Toni sometimes pops up in this community. I will let her know about your comment.

Diana 

Thanks again Diana and please thank her because she summed up exactly why I hate phone calls now but I could never explain it properly people. "Talking on the phone can be a real issue. I no longer properly process what the other person is saying and the concentration can cause me to then struggle to find the words I want to say."

Hi Chris,

Here are some more comments from the community which may be helpful:

Linda Aitken

Also try wearing a cap / hat , the peak at the front , will maybe shade yr eyes . In my case it lessoned the the light , it gave my damaged brain a bit of relief from the harsh light , but it also shielded me (my brain) from all the activity , l found the activity & especially the noise was debilitating.. I still cannot watch TV/ Big Screens etc , they give me a vertigo effect.. So as a suggestion use a Ipad / Tablet , or yr ph .. I also use sound blocking ear buds .. Where necessary..

U need to analyse what is triggering yr Very sensitive Brain , and try different things to Aide yr recovery.. Stay Strong

Norma Jo

I hear you, it's just awful.

I was originally diagnosed with severe migraine which then became something else. Flown to a base hospital treated with high dose antiantibioticsbiotics just in case then finally had scans subsequent result was Embolic Shower through cerebellum focusing on occipital lobe. Unconscious for 3 days hospitalised for 10. Cause still unknow and still having tests 8 months later, the public health system is fantastic but incredibly slow and I'm becoming a nervous wreck.

Pamela Montague

One of my strokes was at the cerebellum area...it was escheimic stroke. I find if I sit down for too long when I go to walk i'm imbalanced in my gait. I'm aware my legs can give away at anytime. I now think how I walk when I walk...if that makes any sense to anyone. I have tingling on my face and I am also aware of not moving my neck too quickly as I feel dizzy. I try to improve my life by exercise, yoga and keeping stress out of my life.

Cate English

I avoid shops unless I can see daylight … fluro light kills me

Click & collect, online shopping etc. I hope with time your symptoms improve

Dianne Allison

I also had a cerebellar stroke. I also have a mild face numbness over my eye and cheek on my stroke side. It’s more noticeable when I’m tired. And I suffer from post-stroke fatigue.

Try wearing earphones (either playing music or ones that stop noise - try both) and/or sunglasses. Supermarkets now often have times where they lower the lights and music (aimed at people who are neurodivergent ie on the autism spectrum). And go when you are well rested. Bright lights do bother me and also shadow and light flicker. It may not work for you, but it’s something to try.

David Bradbury

I had the same, after time one day I felt like I had been given a punch to the same side of my jaw and not long after all but went.

Jasmine Anne

Visit the dentist possible tmj muscle tension

Hi Diana

Thanks again for the information.

I have tried everything these kind people have suggested but nothing really helps me and one thing that triggers it is peoples voices. I am fine with headphones on and I can listen to podcasts or music but whenever I have to engage with anyone it comes on.

I finally started OT today after nearly 2 years

and tried to explain it to her once we went through the assessment but then it just randomly

happened and my ear built up that much pressure I just went silent and then started crying in pain

and we had to stop so I could go home and settle down.

Since I found out about sensory hour form Coles and Woolworths i have tried 3 of the 5 supermarkets in my area and all 3 times I was let down by both supermarkets. One of the times I happened to be walking past the bakery and buzzer went off and I almost had a panic attack

in the middle of bakery section. The only difference I found is that they turn half the lights off which I'm sure is on a timer because most the staff members I approached knew nothing about it.

I have been to the dentist to have a crown installed on effected side which my dentist claims had nothing to do with my stroke even though the tooth I got the crown on was where I have numbness and my insurance got denied because they do not class teeth grinding as a accident.

I finally got my loop earplugs but I find while sometimes they help, sometimes they also cause my pressure in my ears to build up also.