One way your body provides information to you is through pain response. It’s an effective strategy though not a really enjoyable one. When that megaphone you’re standing near goes too loud, the pain lets you know that severe ear damage is happening and you instantly (if you’re smart) cover your ears or remove yourself from that extremely loud environment.
But, in spite of their marginal volume, 8-10% of people will feel pain from low volume sounds as well. Hearing specialists refer to this condition as hyperacusis. It’s a medical term for overly sensitive ears. The symptoms of hyperacusis can be managed but there’s no cure.
Heightened sound sensitivity
Hyperacusis is a hypersensitivity to sound. Usually sounds in a distinct frequency cause episodes of hyperacusis for individuals who suffer from it. Quiet noises will often sound extremely loud. And loud noises sound even louder.
nobody’s quite certain what causes hyperacusis, although it’s often linked to tinnitus or other hearing issues (and, in some cases, neurological concerns). With regards to symptoms, intensity, and treatment, there’s a significant degree of individual variability.
What type of response is normal for hyperacusis?
Here’s how hyperacusis, in most cases, will look and feel::
- You may notice pain and buzzing in your ears (this pain and buzzing may last for days or weeks after you hear the original sound).
- You will notice a certain sound, a sound that everyone else perceives as quiet, and that sound will sound really loud to you.
- The louder the sound is, the more extreme your response and discomfort will be.
- Balance issues and dizziness can also be experienced.
Hyperacusis treatment treatment
When you are dealing with hyperacusis the world can be a minefield, especially when your ears are extremely sensitive to a wide variety of frequencies. You never know when a lovely night out will suddenly turn into an audio onslaught that will leave you with ringing ears and a three-day migraine.
That’s why it’s so important to get treatment. You’ll want to come in and speak with us about which treatments will be most up your alley (this all tends to be rather variable). Here are some of the most prevalent options:
Masking devices
A device known as a masking device is one of the most popular treatments for hyperacusis. This is technology that can cancel out specific wavelengths. So those offensive frequencies can be removed before they get to your ears. If you can’t hear the triggering sound, you won’t have a hyperacusis episode.
Earplugs
A less state-of-the-art strategy to this general method is earplugs: if all sound is blocked, there’s no possibility of a hyperacusis episode. There are undoubtedly some drawbacks to this low tech method. There’s some research that suggests that, over time, the earplugs can throw your hearing ecosystem even further off and make your hyperacusis worse. If you’re considering using earplugs, call us for a consultation.
Ear retraining
One of the most comprehensive methods of managing hyperacusis is called ear retraining therapy. You’ll attempt to change the way you react to specific types of sounds by using physical therapy, emotional counseling, and a mix of devices. Training yourself to dismiss sounds is the basic idea. This strategy depends on your dedication but usually has a positive success rate.
Less common methods
There are also some less common approaches for treating hyperacusis, including medications or ear tubes. Both of these approaches have met with only mixed results, so they aren’t as commonly utilized (it’ll depend on the individual and the specialist).
A huge difference can come from treatment
Because hyperacusis will vary from person to person, a specialized treatment plan can be formulated depending on your symptoms as you experience them. There’s no single best approach to managing hyperacusis, it really depends on finding the right treatment for you.
