Types of Hyperacusis
There are two types of hyperacusis: cochlear and vestibular. Cochlear, the most common form, causes ear pain from noise, frustration, and a general feeling of intolerance to everyday sounds. Vestibular hyperacusis, on the other hand, causes feelings of nausea, dizziness, and imbalance when particular sounds are present. Both types of hyperacusis can cause anxiety, stress, depression, social isolation, and phonophobia (fear of normal sounds).
Do not confuse hyperacusis with recruitment, a condition that causes an exaggeration in one’s perception of sounds located in their frequency range of hearing loss. Where recruitment makes certain loud noises uncomfortably loud, hyperacusis makes all sounds, including everyday sounds, too loud. A loudness discomfort test by an audiologist specializing in these conditions can help determine which type of sensitivity you may be experiencing.
Causes of Hyperacusis
Hyperacusis affects people of all ages, and it can influence your hearing in one or both ears. Typically, people are not born with this rare condition. It can develop over a period of time or emerge quite suddenly. Causes of hyperacusis include, but are not limited to, the following:
Exposure to loud noise (causing damage to the cochlea)
Head injury
Lyme disease
Bell’s palsy
Tay-Sachs disease
Williams syndrome
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Viral infections that affect the inner ear or facial nerve
Ear damage due to toxins or medication
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder
Airbag deployment
Migraines
Ménière’s disease
Multiple Sclerosis
Sometimes children with autism or cerebral palsy also suffer from hyperacusis, and it can occur in children with brain injuries.
Although experts do not know exactly why hyperacusis occurs, hyperacusis research theories include a malfunction of the ear’s protective hearing mechanisms, damage to a portion of the auditory nerve, a problem with the central processing system, or a malfunction of the auditory nerve.
Hyperacusis Treatment Options
Although a cure to quickly eliminate hyperacusis does not currently exist, therapies can improve the sufferer’s quality of life by reducing their fear and anxieties, helping them cope with uncomfortable sounds, and even reducing their sensitivity to sounds.
For example, sound therapy can retrain the brain’s auditory processing center to accept everyday sounds as normal again. The individual wears a sound generator that produces soft, soothing sounds that can be controlled by the patient. Over the course of about 6 to 12 months, regular use of the device and directive counseling on appropriate levels of sound and responses to them can rebuild the individual’s tolerance to sounds. Sound therapy requires directive counseling by a qualified audiologist in order for it to be effective.
People with a sensitivity to sound may wear ear protection in loud environments to muffle sounds. For example, they may choose to wear earplugs or industrial earmuffs (or both). However, avoiding sounds can actually make someone more sensitive to sound. Thus, audiologists typically advise against these tools unless it is universally necessary, such as at a concert or while using power tools.
If another medical condition causes hyperacusis, that condition will be treated alongside the hyperacusis.
Finally, many people suffering from hyperacusis can benefit from treatment involving counseling. Through counseling, people living with hyperacusis can address their fears and anxieties and change their thought patterns around offensive sounds. This is especially beneficial for those who find themselves withdrawing from social engagements, avoiding professional activities, and isolating themselves.
Counseling may include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps people recognize useful and detrimental aspects of their daily lives in relation to hyperacusis. With the help of a therapist, the individual can change their pattern of thinking or behavior to reduce the impact of sound sensitivity on their life. Additionally, some may seek out hyperacusis support groups. However, we at Sound Relief provide one-on-one counseling to provide hyperacusis coping strategies which have proven to be extremely effective.
Contact Sound Relief Tinnitus & Hearing Center today if you suffer from hyperacusis. Our expert audiologists can help you identify the best options for treatment. To learn more about us, please browse our website, visit our YouTube channel, or call (720) 344-7600. You can also schedule an online appointment with one of our Audiologists. We look forward to hearing from you!
