Hi, my name is Turtle Eller. I am a Junior in Highschool and plan to go to College for an Art Major. For the past few years, small sounds have been incredibly loud and hard for me to handle. As I've gotten older, this has caused me physical pain in my head, eyes, sinuses, lower jaw and even my neck. It literally sounds like a grenade is going off in my head. In 2022, the pain became so unbearable, I saw 8 different specialist about my condition. I even had two different oral surgeries to try and relieve the pressure on my jaw and ears. Recently, I saw my 9th specialist that was able to give me a diagnosis to my problem. It is so rare, it is often overlooked.

Misophonia

What is it? A strong reaction to specific sounds. Misophonia may cause a reaction to sounds such as dripping water, chewing, snapping gum, or repetitive noises, such as pencil tapping. This triggers "fight or flight" reactions that include teeth grinding, anxiety and physical pain typically around the head. Headaches, light sensitivity and in some cases, pain in the upper spinal cord. No cure is available for this condition.

The specialist explained that this is usually diagnosed before the age of 10. I am now 17, and the doctor is amazed I have gone this long without the proper assistance. Treatments include specialty designed hearing aids/plugs that muffle sound. I will need different hearing aids for school, swimming, outdoors and any stadium events. In addition, I have to see a Psychologist as well as a CBT Audiologist. I also have to have special physical therapy and Botox injections in my Jaw. I will be taught different coping mechanisms and skill sets to keep the sounds from bothering me. Unfortunately, the majority of these treatments and hearing devices, are not covered by my family insurance. My father who is disabled, is unable to get me the treatment in a timely manner. Whenever I have an episode that causes me so much pain, I start to cry. I can see the hurt in his eyes that I am in pain. He is disappointed in himself, that he cannot afford everything that I need.

I ask all of you to please help put an end to this nightmare that I have been dealing with for so long. Any donations that you could provide would be greatly appreciated and I would like to ask all of you to please pray. The treatments and therapy are one piece but the road to recovery and learning to handle this is another and it will be a difficult journey.

Thank you!