Used to be that the old spicy flight response would kick in, every time without fail—heart spiking, tensing, teeth gritting and grinding, tears springing to my eyes and head on a swivel. White noise in my head. Couldn’t relax even in safe environments, except in deserted areas with safe known companions. For context, I’ve had hyperacusis and light sensitivity since I was a baby, so noisy gatherings of people in almost any setting is a bit of a nightmare for me to navigate comfortably.
However (and this isn’t an ad, swear, I just love sharing the news with fellow sensitive people) since using Calmer silicon earbuds in public, I’ve genuinely noticed a significant reduction in stress response. Dgmw, even with them in I still get a little froggy and animated having to move through or into a crowd, but it’s nothing like the high anxiety I used to feel. And if pair them with dark sunglasses to block the infernal lights of outside? I’m dangerously close to..chill.
Wild how a little simple low-tech solution has made such a difference. I wind down at night and sleep with a different pair in, as well, and it’s helped that as well (pity my doomscrolling and revenge procrastination habits offset the benefit) My big panics now are when I lose them—perhaps it’s the placebo effect, perhaps not, but I feel like it’s hard to sleep without them, now.
Anyway, just thought I’d let the board know, in case anyone else struggles similarly and is looking for a solution.