Severe hyperacusis & MES

Hi

I applied for PIP before but was unsuccessful even via MR & was too unwell to take it to tribunal. I was wondering about applying again as one of my conditions has worsened significantly. I have developed severe hyperacusis (sound sensitivity) to the point where anything above a whisper is physically painful. I have been told by Audiology to try to very gradually increase my tolerance to noise over what could be many months , but irritation to my tinnitus (more about that in a moment) means that currently I have to wear a pair of noise blocking headphones (the same ones worn on building sites) around other people even at home , I even wear them in the shower as it sounds so loud without. Obviously this means I cannot hear people talking to me without taking them off & would struggle to hear anything that was not as loud as a fire alarm whilst wearing them. Stepping out of the house for GP or hospital appointments is a minefield, I have to wear earplugs & the headphones to cope whilst out meaning I cannot hear anything around me & I rely on my mum to keep me safe as I cannot hear traffic noise etc & she has to accompany me into appointments. Apart from health appointments I am stuck at home isolated, unable to even eat in the same room as anyone else. I cannot use the telephone - I have to have someone to make all my calls for me, & forget TV even the lowest level sets off the hyperacusis & irritates my tinnitus.

On top of this, my usual tinnitus has morphed into what I was told is complex musical hallucinations (also known as Musical Ear Syndrome). Basically I hear music 24/7 - sometimes instrumentals like film scores, sometimes like a record is playing in another room with full musical accompaniment & lyrics, & sometimes just discordant racket like someone leaning on several keys of a church organ. I admit it was frightening at first until I was told what it was, but trying to find information that's more than a surface description of what I have is like pulling teeth as it seems to be quite unusual. It can be so loud that my ears feel like they are vibrating with the level of noise. You can't concentrate on anything & to be honest, it's been several months & I'm feeling depressed about it all & I have trouble sleeping due to the constant noise. I was feeling very near suicidal recently & that is not like me. The hospital have no idea what has suddenly caused this & I need to have an MRI (ha, can't even do a normal hearing test at the minute) & I have requested access to one of the new open or silent MRI scanners if there are any in the country. How long that will take or if it is even possible, I have no idea.

My questions are:

1) Can someone else phone for the PIP form as I cannot do this myself at present?
2) Would these conditions be something I could submit to ask for a home assessment? A telephone or video assessment would obviously not be suitable & travelling more than 10-15 mins in a car is a no-no at the moment & I would have to wear the hearing protection during the appointment if I am out in an unfamiliar environment.
3) Would this come under descriptors for communication, engaging with others, safety factors, mental health?
4)I thought I read somewhere that you need to be prescribed hearing aids or maskers for tinnitus to be considered for PIP, but this is not possible for me as currently even white & pink noise currently irritates my musical tinnitus into being louder & more intrusive for days or weeks. Is it worth asking for a letter from the ENT or Audiology explaining this?

Sorry for the essay.

Thanks

GVN

Thank you BIS.

Do I request a paper-based assessment on the first form assessing your eligibility for PIP or on the second one where you complete the descriptors? I can't remember from when I applied last time & I need to calculate timings for requesting the letter from the hospital and GP. Thanks in advance.

Hi,

I know this is quite an old post but did you manage to get PIP for the 3 hearing problems (tinnitus, hyperacusis and MES)? I know someone who has the exact same problems.

Thanks