Imagine living in a world where the simple sound of rustling paper, clinking dishes, or even a gentle conversation feels like an unbearable explosion in your ears. What most people brush off as background noise becomes an overwhelming storm of discomfort and pain. This is the daily reality for those living with Hyperacusis — a rare but deeply impactful condition where normal sounds are perceived as painfully loud. In this article, we’ll explore the mysterious and often misunderstood world of hyperacusis, uncovering its causes, symptoms, and the ways it silently disrupts lives.
What Is Hyperacusis?
Many conditions affect the ear and hearing abilities. Hearing loss can be very challenging for many individuals. However, there are cases where a person is able to hear sounds more than the normal standards, known as noise intolerance disorder. Hyperacusis is a condition that affects a person’s perception and response to sounds. In fact, this disorder causes a person to have no tolerance for the sounds around them. Hyperacusis affects how a person perceives loudness, making ordinary sounds like car engines seem very loud. They may even find their own voice seems loud. Let’s talk about this.
Noise intolerance disorder
Noise intolerance disorder is a condition that causes the ears to become sensitive and unable to tolerate sound. Any sound, even natural ones like the sound of cars on the street or birdsong, may seem very loud and bothersome for the person. Sensitivity to loud sounds is very common for people with hyperacusis and occurs while going about their daily life routines.
People with hyperacusis disorder also find it difficult to be in crowded and noisy environments. It has even been proved that patients with hyperacusis experience ringing and buzzing in their ears, which results in headaches.
Hyperacusis Causes
Hyperacusis can occur due to congenital sensitivity. PTSD and high stress are also among the causes of hearing loss. In some cases, head injuries that involve the jaw and ear may also cause Hyperacusis.
Surgical errors or infections that damage the facial or ear nerves may also cause Hyperacusis. Damage to the ear structure and the temporomandibular joint that connects the skull and jaw can also be associated with Hyperacusis. With autoimmune diseases, the body itself may also cause the disorder.
Other Causes of Hyperacusis:
Temporomandibular joint disorder: The temporomandibular joint attaches your lower jaw to your skull. A problem with this joint may increase your risk of developing hearing disorders, such as Hyperacusis.
Autism: Autism spectrum or autism conditions can cause hearing sensitivities, including Hyperacusis. According to research conducted just a few years ago, about 40 percent of autistic children also have Hyperacusis.
Some medications: Several medications, such as cancer drugs, can cause ear damage and noise intolerance (Hyperacusis).
Viral infections: Viral infections affect the facial nerve or inner ear that may lead to Hyperacusis.
What Is the Main Cause of Hyperacusis?
Hyperacusis can have many causes. One of the most common and main causes of Hyperacusis is overexposure to high-decibel or high-pressure sounds, such as explosions.
Main Cause of Hyperacusis
Symptoms of Hyperacusis
Hyperacusis is a condition characterized by low sound tolerance in one or both ears. It is also known as increased sensitivity to sound. Symptoms of hyperacusis can vary. Some of the symptoms include the following:
- Normal sounds seem too loud.
- A feeling of discomfort in the ears
- Your own voice is too loud.
- Difficulty concentrating
- Headaches
Severe symptoms of hyperacusis can include:
- Pain when hearing sudden noises
- A popping sensation in the ear when hearing loud noises
- Poor sleep
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Fear of social situations
Hyperacusis can also occur if you have the following symptoms:
- Tinnitus
- Bell’s palsy
- Facial palsy
- Williams syndrome
- Anxiety
- Depression and sensitivity to noise
- Schizophrenia
If you experience tinnitus in only one ear, you should be examined for an acoustic neuroma (tumor) on the balance (vestibular) nerve. If the tumor is detected early, it is easier to remove. However, not all tumors need removal.
Hyperacusis Prevention
The most recommended way to prevent hyperacusis is to avoid noisy environments. However, if the patient is highly sensitive to sound, it is better not to entirely avoid sounds because by being in society and crowded places, you can normalize sounds and eventually prevent the disorder.
Hyperacusis Prevention
When Should You See a Doctor?
Whenever normal and everyday sounds become louder than usual and unbearable, it is best to see an otolaryngologist as soon as possible. If you have any questions in this regard, you can get advice from your doctor, and he or she will assist you with the treatment.
How to Diagnosis Hyperacusis?
When a person hears typical sounds loudly, they may have a condition called hyperacusis and should consider seeing an otolaryngologist. The doctor will try to diagnose the person’s condition by performing a physical examination and asking questions about their symptoms and Types of Hyperacusis. To confirm these steps, the doctor will perform an audiometric test to determine the person’s hearing and hyperacusis.
4 Types of Hyperacusis:
- Loudness intolerance
- fear
- annoyance
- pain
What Is The Difference Between Hyperacusis and Tinnitus?
While hyperacusis and tinnitus are both hearing-related conditions, they affect people in very different ways. Hyperacusis is a condition where everyday sounds—like running water, footsteps, or even someone chewing—are perceived as painfully loud or unbearable. It’s not about hearing better than others; it’s about the brain misinterpreting normal sound levels as threatening or overwhelming. People with hyperacusis often start avoiding social situations or noisy environments just to protect themselves from discomfort, which can lead to isolation and anxiety.
On the other hand, tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external sound is actually present. It’s often described as a constant ringing, buzzing, or humming in the ears that no one else can hear. Unlike hyperacusis, which is triggered by external noise, tinnitus is an internal experience that follows a person everywhere—quiet room or not. Many people with tinnitus report trouble sleeping or concentrating, as the phantom sounds can be persistent and intrusive. Interestingly, these two conditions can sometimes occur together, making diagnosis and treatment even more complex.
How Do You Get Rid of Hyperacusis?
Can hyperacusis be cured? Although there is no quick treatment for this condition, some treatments can improve a person’s quality of life by reducing their anxiety about noise and helping them adapt to unpleasant sounds.
Treatment for hyperacusis depends solely on the cause of the hyperacusis. Many times, a person exposes themselves to sounds and gradually overcomes the symptoms. The following is the introduction and review of the methods of treating hyperacusis.
Treatments for Hyperacusis
Sound Desensitization
In this treatment method, a patient has to listen to a soft static noise for a certain amount of time every day. This is a specialized method and should be done under the supervision of an audiologist. Sound Desensitization will very slowly and gradually raise the person’s tolerance threshold. The treatment may take up to six months or more.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) involves psychological examinations. A hearing care professional teaches a person how to control their own reactions to sounds and manage their emotional responses. This approach is often used for people who have hyperacusis due to stress, PTSD, or social anxiety.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)
TRT is also a hyperacusis treatment for both hearing loss and tinnitus. In this approach, the doctor uses a device similar to a hearing aid. The device produces low-intensity sounds, allowing the person’s brain to hear the sound and the tinnitus together. This helps the brain to focus less on the tinnitus. This treatment can also be helpful for hyperacusis, reducing sensitivity to loud noises.
Hyperacusis Surgery
If the above treatments are unsuccessful, surgery may be required to treat hyperacusis. The surgical technique used to treat this condition is called “round and oval window reinforcement.” During the surgery, the tissue behind the ear is moved around the auditory bones. This tissue will help the bones and reduce the sensitivity to sound.
Hyperacusis Surgery
Alternative Treatments for Hyperacusis:
The doctor may also recommend alternative treatments to help manage the pain and stress caused by hyperacusis. These alternative treatments include:
- Exercise
- Yoga
- Massage
- Meditation
- Acupuncture
In addition to the methods mentioned, meditation, yoga, and acupuncture can also be effective in controlling hearing loss.
Final Word
With hyperacusis, everyday sounds, such as the sound of water, may seem very loud, causing discomfort and even pain for the individual. People with noise intolerance or hyperacusis usually avoid crowded and noisy areas after feeling major uneasiness in the ears. Avoiding these environments is not the best way to deal with this disorder because it can only protect the person for a short time, and in the long term, it can lead to consequences such as increased sensitivity to loud noise, depression, and social withdrawal. Visiting a healthcare specialist is very crucial once you feel the sounds are overwhelming and extreme to you.
