Hi everyone,

We’re raising funds for our beloved friend Diane, who is currently living with pain-hyperacusis — a rare and debilitating chronic pain condition where everyday sounds (traffic, dishes clinking, water running, and now, even her own voice) causes continuous, intense stabbing pain in her inner ears.

For most of 2025, Diane has been bedridden. Doctors have deemed her condition at the catastrophic level.

Diane can barely speak above a whisper now, relying mostly on text, e-mail, and ASL (American Sign Language) to communicate. She can’t work, and her daily life has become extremely limited.

We've watched Diane have to pull away from the world she loved so much, all because of her condition.

The pain is unrelenting and so intense that many who suffer from this condition do not survive it—tragically, hyperacusis is associated with an incredibly high rate of suicide.

We want to make sure Diane never has to face that darkness.

While there’s no cure, there might be a surgery— but first, Diane has to regain her strength so she can safely leave home and see her specialists (and all their equipment) in person.

Rebuilding her sound tolerance is a slow, careful process. Diane’s doing everything she can to recover, and we hope you’ll support her too as she fights to get her life back.

This fundraiser starts and ends around Diane’s birthday (October 13th).

Please help us make it a turning point!

The Goal: Be able to safely leave home and see specialists by early 2026. If eligible, surgery will follow, with recovery taking ~ 8 months to 1 year.

What Your Support Can Do:

Diane has started putting together an Amazon wishlist (click here to view ) with some of the items she urgently needs to soundproof her home. Her apartment building is currently under heavy construction, and as the crews work their way up the building, the noise has been getting louder and harder for her to bear. It’s becoming a race against time to make her space safe and quiet before the work reaches her floor.

Why doesn't Diane simply move somewhere quieter? :

Sadly, that’s just not possible right now. Her sound sensitivity is currently at what her doctors call a catastrophic level.

She can barely leave her bed, speak above a whisper, or even turn on a tap without intense pain.

Packing all her belongings, having to deal and speak with movers entering and leaving her home, having to be outside in the city with its thunderous city sounds, vehicles honking etc.- these are just far too loud for Diane to endure and could set her progress back exponentially. The physical and emotional toll of packing and relocating would simply be far too much for her to endure.

For now, the best way to protect and ensure her health and recovery is to help make her current home as quiet and comfortable as possible until, one day, she’s strong enough to rebuild her sound tolerance.

Diane truly never expected to find herself here. We know she’d be so grateful for any support you can offer during this critical time - helping her stay safe, stable, and another step closer to treatment!

Please help us help our dear friend. We can't wait to be able to reunite and to see her thrive once more.

Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity.

Sincerely,

Isabelle and Mandela <3

*** Quick note on crisis support: ***

For pain-hyperacusis patients like Diane, calling hotlines or having hospital visits may not be viable options. That’s why at-home care and mental health support are vital.

If you or someone you know is struggling, text or call 9-8-8 Suicide Hotline (Canada).

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Here are some more stories in case you would like to understand this condition more -- Highly recommended giving these a listen/read:

David Vance's Story (Referenced Above)

John Wallace's Story

Tom Maholchic (Hyperacusis with Pain)

Sebrod's Hyperacusis Story