Tinnitus Toolbox Hyperacusis Handbook: Desk Reference Edition

by Jan L. Mayes

Tinnitus Toolbox Hyperacusis Handbook is an excellent desk reference for homes, clinics, and libraries.
Recommended by US Review of Books, it is also a 2019 International Book Awards winning finalist in General.

Tinnitus is when people hear extra sounds like ringing or buzzing.
Hyperacusis is when people hear sounds extra loud or painful.

People with tinnitus-hyperacusis distress are still being told nothing can be done. Something can be done.

Tinnitus Toolbox Hyperacusis Handbook covers currently available international science-based approaches including self-help, guided self-help, professional treatments, clinical trials, and experimental research. This book describes options and how to use them most effectively. For people in the hearing loss and Deaf communities, this includes coping tools that don't rely on sound or hearing to help lower any tinnitus or hyperacusis related distress.

There are chapters on noise damage (occupational and environmental), noise control, and hearing protection, including hyperacusis overprotection. Universal hearing healthcare is described as a way of significantly cutting overall healthcare costs.

This book gives people the current state of Hyper Ears World. The factual science-based info they need to be informed consumers about the tools they choose to use in their personal tinnitus-hyperacusis toolbox. To avoid defective products and scams. To find no to low cost tools including free mobile apps. To find the tools needed to cope better and have a better quality of life.

For clinicians and people with tinnitus or hyperacusis, knowledge is power.

Flesch Reading Ease = 66

Author Jan L. Mayes has the unique perspective of both having tinnitus-hyperacusis for over 30 years, and working as an audiologist specializing in tinnitus-hyperacusis evaluation, management, and prevention. She is particularly interested in noise-induced damage to hearing health. Her career spans hearing healthcare, health and safety education, hearing conservation, and authoring horror fiction and non-fiction noise and hearing health related articles, books, and educational materials.

Genres: Nonfiction

455 pages, Paperback

First published February 19, 2019

About the author

Jan Mayes is a nonfiction tinnitus-hyperacusis, horror, and cli-fi fiction author.

A retired audiologist, Jan lives in beautiful British Columbia with her partner, a rescue dog, plus feisty tuxedo and lazy ginger cats.

When she is not curled up in her favourite chair, Jan spends most of her time reading, deadheading, and relaxing in her leisure suit (ok, ok, they're pyjamas).

She enjoys cookies as all right thinking people should.

Reviews

[Knobby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I've had tinnitus for about 3 years now, and it started out of seemingly nowhere. A weird staticky hum in my right ear that sounded like a cord drawing power. Then a few days later it was constant. I went to three different ENTs to find out what caused it, and more importantly, how to get rid of it. For those unaware of tinnitus, there's pretty much no cure for it, just management.

I read the Tinnitus Toolbox in the hopes of having more information on how to manage the sound. Truth be told, the first year of tinnitus was rough, the second was more of an adjustment, and now in this third year I have learned to live with it. But I still wanted to know if there were any other therapeutic methods for when the noise gets really loud. For someone who has had tinnitus for a long time and has learned, more or less, how to cope, I don't think this book would be very helpful. However, if your tinnitus (or hyper ears, or misophonia, or hearing loss) is new and acute to you, this would be a good read. My journey with tinnitus pretty much followed the author's description of it, including my failures (for instance, I tried an anti-inflammatory diet with no changes, I tried overprotecting my hearing by eschewing white noise until I realized I preferred coverup sound) and I've learned that my way of coping now is probably the best way to deal. I feel better after having read this.

The book is laid out in a way that you don't have to read all 450 pages. It's more of a reference book. I didn't read much about hearing loss, for instance, because I still have good hearing. It covers everything from the science of hearing (in layman's terms), to recommending products to help with different ear problems. I learned a few tips about protecting hearing even when forgetting physical tools like earplugs. And I came to terms with my own condition, which is probably the best thing for "dealing" with tinnitus.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited to read this book since my husband and most of my kids suffer from chronic tinnitus (ringing of the ears). While the author has clearly done years of research, it was nearly impossible to get through the book and I ultimately gave up without finding out if anything can help them. I suspect there isn't anything, as the author herself doesn't sound very encouraging in the book. She says that some tools work for some and after all of the years that she's suffered with tinnitus (to the point where she considered suicide because of it), she has merely learned how to deal with it better.

The book is filled with research, but it often reads like hastily written college notes, interspersed with lots of personal anecdotes and then lots of technical segues. Mayes uses abbreviations for the various conditions (T, H, M, P, DST, EHF) instead of ever writing the words, and paragraphs often aren't even comprised of complete or grammatically correct sentences.

Here are some sample paragraphs, to give an idea of the writing style and if it would be a good match for you:

"H can be reversed. For chronic T, the goal is not to get rid of it. That's a cure. And there isn't one. Yet. The goal is less distress."

"Except in 1969, professional hearing tests of Kalahari bushmen age 10 to 60 found by age 41 to 50, they had mild high frequency HL starting at 8 hKz. Over time, the HL spread to adjacent mid to lower frequencies as expected with age-related HL."

"HL severity definitions should be age neutral to reflect real world impact of HL > 15 dB for understanding speech in quiet no matter how old a person is. If you have T-H and normal hearing, is it still normal if you use age neutral HL severity definitions?"

I read about a third of the book but still hadn't found anything that seemed relevant to my husband and kids in terms of actually helpful information. It's a very difficult book to read, especially as there are 450 pages.

While the author clearly knows a monumental amount about these topics, the book really could have used a good editor and copywriter to put it in a format that would be accessible and useful for the average layperson with these tinnitus and related conditions.

My rating system:
1 = hated it
2 = it was okay
3 = liked it
4 = really liked it
5 = love it, plan to purchase, and/or would buy it again if it was lost

I read a temporary digital ARC of the book for the purpose of review.

[Danielle Tremblay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm 66 and I've been suffering from tinnitus since the age of 12.

I've found this book interesting for 2 reasons. It helps to differentiate the different kinds of tinnitus and to know what can be the causes of each of them, as well as how to relieve them, if not heal them completely.

I learned that my tinnitus is getting worse because of high blood pressure. When I don't have hypertension, my tinnitus is limited to a very bearable hiss. Otherwise, it's thunder in my ears and it's hellish. It's impossible to sleep when it seems that a drummer is playing his drums beside your ears.

I suggest that all oto-rhyno-laryngologists take a look at it. They could discover how to be more useful to their patients than they usually are at this time.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an eCopy of this excellent book.

[Gaby F. · Rating 1 out of 5]

II have lived with tinnitus for over 30 years and I was excited to read this book and get at least some relief from this chronic condition. After I have read it, I believe I need to look elsewhere and see a doctor and a licensed Audiologist, should my tinnitus start bothering me more. The book is meant to be a toolbox from which a tinnitus sufferer can choose and try the best options available for the individual. For that purpose, I neither find this toolbox well organized, nor professionally written. The author simply lists tools that are well researched and tools that have no benefit for tinnitus sufferers at all in no specific order. Sometimes I am not really sure if a tool is recommended or not, and I feel I have to do more research to get a complete picture. Or I read a whole paragraph about a tool, only to find out that there has been little or no research showing that the tool actually works or that it is an accepted tool in the medical community Why bother with things that do not work? . It is almost as if the author has researched the internet and listed everything that is offered on the market for tinnitus sufferers. It would have been better to list only effective tools and put the ineffective tools into a separate chapter, just to raise awareness about costly scams. The author also veers off into personal anecdotes that are not helpful for the readers. The greatest problem I have with this book is that the author discusses her own suicide attempt and then mentions that her doctor told her that 90 % of the medications prescribed do not work. This is irresponsible towards readers who struggle with depression and not what I expect from a professional.

[Chelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an Ausiologist, I see many clients who live with tinnitus, hyperacusis, etc. This book has expanded my knowledge in this area and will enable me to better assist my clients on a daily basis. Jan has written this book at a level that is easy for everyone to understand. I found the introduction was personal and was a good foundation for the book. She shares some of her own experiences which makes the material more relatable.

I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation from the author.

[Charlotte Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an essential resource for clients and professionals. Jan is an audiologist who has lived the experience of tinnitus and sound tolerance, developing useful strategies along the way. She is able to communicate her understanding of these complex issues in a way that any of us can understand.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book, for free, in exchange for an honest review.

This book is an extensive review of coping/treatment strategies for sufferers of hyperacusis.
Tinnitus treatments are discussed but the focus seems to be on more severe disorders like hyperacusis. The author has done a great deal of work in her research but there are a few times in which she oversteps her reach (I believe she warned against Kava Kava but without the necessary caveats as to its general safety if the correct preparation/plant parts are used). If I had hyperacusis I doubt I could find a better book than this.

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tinnitus Toolbox Hyperacusis Handbook
by Jan L. Mayes

Having Tinnitus I thought this book would be helpful and informative. But, I found this is not your everyday reading material. It presented itself as a more scientific journal than an self help guide. It did offer some suggestions on dealing with the Tinnitus for sleeping, that can be useful. But overall this book is a difficult read for the average person.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#Netgalley

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having suffered from tinnitus since I was 7, I am somewhat used to it. I still wonder what silence sounds like and haven't given up hope of a cure in the future. It probably won't happen in my life time, but I still have hope. If ever I see anything having to do tinnitus and coping with it, I look in to it immediately. So, this book caught my eye and I had to take a peek. Covers a lot of territory...much of it I've already covered with various ENT's and GP's. Still it was a worth a read. It's pretty long and inclusive. I don;t think anyone will want to read it cover to cover in one or two sessions. I found it to be ore of a read at leisure and what interests one at any given moment. If you are new to tinnitus, you have my sympathy- there is no cure- only various coping suggestions. I can tell you that once you accept that fact, it gets easier to deal with it, mostly. Good book with lots in information.

I received a Kindle from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having been diagnosed with both tinnitus and hyperacusis within the last year, I was interested in researching advice to help adjust to living with them. I found this book contained some very useful information with some great tips and coping mechanisms. Admittedly I had similar ideas from my hearing therapist, but sympathise that not everyone gets access to one or is on a waiting list so in the meantime it’s worth having a look at this book. Having said that, I do have to admit that it’s not the most user friendly layout as a “handbook” and getting to the relevant sections means wading through a lot of non-relevant material. All in all worth a look if you are a fellow sufferer, but don’t expect miracles.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tinnitus Toolbox has everything you could possibly want to know about tinnitus in it and more. I gave 3 stars since I did find some of the book informative. But I felt as if it went beyond what interested me. I have to say some of the scientific studies and such were borderline boring.

The author jumps around to various disorders in which she uses T for tinnitus and other abbreviations. It was confusing at times and did take me quite a while to read. It's a big book and I just kept losing interest in it.

* I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. It was my own decision to read and review this book.

[T Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredibly comprehensive; basically a lifetime's worth of hard work studying. It's a compilation of every fact of the matter, as well as personal insights. My father has a serious tinnitus problem (he calls it head-noise), and we have been looking for help for many years. This toolbox is really helpful.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been suffering from this problem since my teen years from an eye problem. Now in my sixties, I thought maybe a book would have some answers for the consent ringing I have had for most of my life. The answer is no. I will say now Hearing aids help somewhat but I really don’t think that there is a solution. Me, it has been able to adjust and live with it for the last 53 years. There is a lot of information in this book and it could be helpful for others just because it was not for me.
I received this book from Netgalley.com

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thorough and readable Tinnitus Toolbox Hyperacusis Handbook covers all the bases for anyone looking for information about this condition. It helps to explain the condition and what the treatment options are so that you know where to go to get help, what questions to ask, and what you can do to help yourself. I would recommend this book to anyone who is suffering from "hearing crickets" like I did for years!