When exposed to certain sounds, people with hyperacusis may:
Try to block their ears or move away from the noise
Become stressed or angry
The nature of the symptoms of hyperacusis mean that some people will try to avoid situations that they know will cause them discomfort – such as socialising or going out to busy areas. This can become quite isolating and can have a real impact on quality of life.
The condition has also been linked to anxiety, depression, and even a fear of noise (known as phonophobia).
Causes of hyperacusis
It is not clear why exactly hyperacusis happens, but it has been associated with other conditions, such as:
Bell’s palsy (facial weakness or paralysis on one side)
Side effect of certain medications
We recommend that you see your GP if you’re experiencing uncomfortable symptoms of hyperacusis. They will examine your ears and ask you some questions about your symptoms, as well as your medical history.
You could also see an audiologist, who will perform a hearing test to see how well you’re hearing (although people won’t necessarily experience any hearing loss), and what kind of sound levels affect you.
Treatment for hyperacusis
There aren’t any specific treatments for hyperacusis – but it will typically involve treating any underlying cause or may involve methods to adapt your tolerance to sounds or help you cope with your symptoms.
These could include:
Counselling and support groups
Learning relaxation or calming techniques
Sound desensitisation therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy
It’s also important that you don’t wear ear plugs or avoid any situations where you know sounds will bother you – this can make your ears more sensitive and make your symptoms worse in the long run.
Sound desensitisation therapy
This type of treatment aims to desensitise the auditory nerve and area of brain responsible for processing sounds, so that it can learn to tolerate normal sounds again. It works by playing low level sounds at a steady and gentle pace either from noise generators or devices similar to hearing aids. It can take time for progress to be made, but many cases of sound desensitisation therapy are successful.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of treatment that helps to change the negative way that people behave or react when faced with situations that trigger their hyperacusis (like socialising or going to crowded places), how to cope with symptoms, and how to recover from them. This method is used to manage a number of conditions and is widely available.
Tinnitus and hyperacusis
Many people who have tinnitus will also experience hyperacusis, and vice versa.
However, not all people will necessarily have both conditions at the same time and might only have one or the other independently.
Hyperacusis does not generally go away on its own. People who have found a resolve to their hyperacusis have followed a treatment plan to desensitise themselves to sound.
Although it cannot be cured altogether, there are a few options to try that can help to manage symptoms of hyperacusis, including treatment to desensitise to sounds that would normally affect you.
Hyperacusis is not caused by anxiety but they are linked. Often those who suffer with both will find that when they are anxious their sensitivity will increase and vice versa.