Pain is your body’s means of delivering information. It’s not a very fun approach but it can be beneficial. When that megaphone you’re standing next to 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 rather loud environment.
But for about 8-10% of people, quiet sounds can be detected as painfully loud, in spite of their measured decibel level. This affliction is referred to by experts as hyperacusis. This is the medical name for overly sensitive ears. The symptoms of hyperacusis can be managed but there’s no cure.
Elevated sensitivity to sound
Hypersensitivity to sound is known as hyperacusis. Most people with hyperacusis have episodes that are brought about by a certain set of sounds (typically sounds within a frequency range). Quiet noises will often sound really loud. And noises that are loud sound a lot louder than they actually are.
No one’s quite certain what causes hyperacusis, although it is frequently related to tinnitus or other hearing problems (and, in some situations, neurological concerns). With regards to symptoms, intensity, and treatment, there is a noticeable degree of individual variability.
What’s a normal hyperacusis response?
Here’s how hyperacusis, in most cases, will look and feel::
- You may experience pain and buzzing in your ears (this pain and buzzing could last for days or weeks after you hear the original sound).
- Your response and discomfort will be worse the louder the sound is.
- You might also experience dizziness and difficulty keeping your balance.
- Everybody else will think a particular sound is quiet but it will sound very loud to you.
Hyperacusis treatment treatment
When you are dealing with hyperacusis the world can be a minefield, particularly when your ears are very sensitive to a wide variety of frequencies. 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. You’ll want to come in and speak with us about which treatments will be most up your alley (this all tends to be quite variable). The most popular options include the following.
Masking devices
One of the most frequently deployed treatments for hyperacusis is something called a masking device. While it may sound ideal for Halloween (sorry), in reality, a masking device is a piece of technology that cancels out select wavelengths of sounds. So those offending frequencies can be removed before they make it to your ears. If you can’t hear the triggering sound, you won’t have a hyperacusis episode.
Earplugs
Earplugs are a less state-of-the-art take on the same basic approach: if all sound is stopped, there’s no chance of a hyperacusis incident. There are definitely some drawbacks to this low tech method. Your general hearing issues, including hyperacusis, could get worse by using this approach, according to some evidence. If you’re considering using earplugs, call us for a consultation.
Ear retraining
One of the most thorough approaches to treating hyperacusis is called ear retraining therapy. You’ll attempt to change the way you react to specific kinds of sounds by employing physical therapy, emotional counseling, and a combination of devices. The concept is that you can train yourself to disregard sounds (rather like with tinnitus). Normally, this approach has a good success rate but depends heavily on your commitment to the process.
Approaches that are less prevalent
Less prevalent methods, including ear tubes or medication, are also used to manage hyperacusis. These approaches are less commonly utilized, depending on the specialist and the individual, because they have delivered mixed results.
Treatment makes a big difference
Because hyperacusis has a tendency to vary from person to person, a unique treatment plan can be formulated depending on your symptoms as you encounter them. Effectively treating hyperacusis depends on determining a strategy that’s best for you.