One way your body delivers information to you is through pain response. It’s not a very enjoyable method but it can be beneficial. When your ears start to feel the pain of a very loud megaphone next to you, you know damage is occurring and you can take measures to move further away or at least cover your ears.
But for about 8-10% of individuals, quiet sounds can be perceived as painfully loud, in spite of their measured decibel level. Hearing specialists refer to this affliction as hyperacusis. It’s a fancy name for overly sensitive ears. The symptoms of hyperacusis can be managed but there’s no cure.
Heightened sound sensitivity
Hypersensitivity to sound is known as hyperacusis. Most individuals with hyperacusis have episodes that are activated by a particular group of sounds (usually sounds within a frequency range). Normally, quiet noises sound loud. And noises that are loud sound a lot louder than they are.
No one’s quite certain what causes hyperacusis, although it’s often linked to tinnitus or other hearing issues (and, in some situations, neurological concerns). When it comes to symptoms, intensity, and treatment, there is a noticeable degree of personal variability.
What kind of response is typical for hyperacusis?
In most instances, hyperacusis will look and feel something like this:
- Everybody else will think a certain sound is quiet but it will sound extremely loud to you.
- After you hear the initial sound, you could experience pain and hear buzzing for days or even weeks.
- The louder the sound is, the more extreme your response and pain will be.
- You may also have dizziness and difficulty keeping your balance.
Treatments for hyperacusis
When your hyperacusis makes you sensitive to a wide range of frequencies, the world can be like a minefield. You never know when a wonderful night out will suddenly turn into an audio onslaught that will leave you with ringing ears and a three-day migraine.
That’s why treatment is so important. There are various treatments available depending on your particular situation and we can help you choose one that’s best for you. Here are some of the most common options:
Masking devices
A device known as a masking device is one of the most popular treatments for hyperacusis. This is a device that can cancel out certain wavelengths. These devices, then, are able to selectively mask those triggering wavelengths of sound before they ever reach your ear. If you can’t hear the offending sound, you won’t have a hyperacusis attack.
Earplugs
A less state-of-the-art approach to this basic method is earplugs: you can’t have a hyperacusis episode if you can’t hear… well, anything. There are certainly some disadvantages to this low tech method. Your general hearing problems, including hyperacusis, could worsen by using this strategy, according to some evidence. If you’re considering using earplugs, contact us for a consultation.
Ear retraining
An approach, called ear retraining therapy, is one of the most thorough hyperacusis treatments. You’ll use a mix of devices, physical therapy, and emotional therapy to try to change how you respond to particular kinds of sounds. Training yourself to ignore sounds is the basic idea. This process depends on your dedication but generally has a positive rate of success.
Less prevalent methods
Less common approaches, including ear tubes or medication, are also used to manage hyperacusis. These strategies are less commonly used, depending on the specialist and the person, because they have met with mixed results.
Treatment makes a big difference
Depending on how you experience your symptoms, which differ from person to person, an individual treatment plan can be developed. Successfully treating hyperacusis depends on finding an approach that’s best for you.
