Flight attendant miserable because of strange, rare disease

Eighteen months ago, Karen Cook was working as a flight attendant and living a completely normal life with her husband and two sons. Then, not long after, she began to experience something strange and painful.

Losing your hearing is scary, but what's even more terrifying is having that sense amplified so much that even the softest everyday sounds become unbearable. Hyperacusis makes every sound a torture for her.

“It was like someone poured hot lava into my ears and my head was on fire, my whole head hurt, especially behind my eyes. It was like a migraine, you just want to split your head open to relieve the pressure,” Karen shared.

Nữ tiếp viên hàng không khốn khổ vì chứng bệnh kỳ lạ, hiếm gặp - Ảnh 1. — Illustration photo.

She was diagnosed with a rare condition called “painful hyperacusis.” She says everyday noises, such as her children’s laughter, her friends’ voices, and even music, cause her crippling pain.

Since being diagnosed with hyperacusis, Karen has tried to treat it or at least control the symptoms, but things have gotten worse. She now spends most of her time indoors because she can’t stand all the noise of the outside world , and even when she’s home alone, she wears earplugs and noise-canceling devices to protect herself.

On Christmas Day, while her sons, aged 7 and 11, were excitedly opening presents, she was in the next room watching them from behind the window, because she couldn't stand to hear their loud voices and laughter.

“Something as beautiful as my children’s laughter, hearing their voices, is like torture to me,” said the 49-year-old. “I used to sit and watch the children open their Christmas presents through the glass and they would come and bring their presents close to the glass to show me.”

Once a very active and outdoorsy person, Karen Cook’s main priority now is to protect herself from the physical pain caused by sound. Her life has changed completely and the only thing that keeps her motivated to continue is her children. She is determined to fight and hopes to find a cure for this strange disease, but so far there has been no result.

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