Hyperacusis is when everyday sounds seem much louder to you than they should. Treatment can help. See a GP if you think you have hyperacusis.
You may have hyperacusis if some everyday sounds seem much louder than they should. It can sometimes be painful.
You may be affected by sounds like:
jingling coins
a barking dog
a car engine
someone chewing
a vacuum cleaner
Hyperacusis can affect 1 or both ears. It can come on suddenly or develop over time.
Other types of hearing sensitivity include:
some sounds making you angry (misophonia)
some sounds making you anxious (phonophobia)
your ears having trouble adjusting between quiet and loud sounds (recruitment)
Treatment for hyperacusis
If hyperacusis is caused by another condition, such as migraines or Lyme disease, treating the condition may stop your hyperacusis.
If there's no clear cause, you may be offered treatment to help make you less sensitive to everyday sounds.
This could be:
sound therapy to get you used to everyday sounds again, and may involve wearing ear pieces that make white noise
cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to change the way you think about your hyperacusis and reduce anxiety
Things you can try to ease hyperacusis
Do
try some relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises
Don’t
do not use earplugs or muffs unless you really need to
do not avoid noisy situations, as this will make you become even more sensitive to noise
Causes of hyperacusis
The cause of hyperacusis is unclear.
It can appear on its own or after hearing a sudden loud noise, such as fireworks.
It can also appear alongside other conditions, like:
tinnitus
a head injury
Ménière's disease
Bell's palsy
Lyme disease
migraines
Williams syndrome
autism
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