Hyperacusis

 

What is Hyperacusis?

Hyperacusis can be defined as a reduced tolerance to normal environmental sounds or simply extreme sensitivity to sound.

What actually happens is that your ears lose most of their dynamic range.

Dynamic range is the ability of the ear to deal with quick shifts in sound loudness.

Suddenly everyday noises sound unbearably or painfully loud and you battle to cope.

This disorder is often chronic and is usually accompanied by tinnitus.

Individuals who suffer from Hyperacusis often describe the symptoms as 'having to live in a world in which "the volume seems to be turned up too high".

The everyday, normal sounds that we all hardly notice all of a sudden become irritating and painful. Yet it you find it very hard to cut yourself off from the rest of the world.

Hyperacusis can be devastating to the sufferer's career, relationships, and peace of mind.

Normal social gatherings can become too much to bear.

What Causes Hyperacusis?

Hyperacusis is caused by damage to the cochlea from exposure to loud noises such as attending rock concerts, firing a gun, air bag deployment, fireworks or any other loud noises.

Other causes include job related noise exposure, drugs, head injury or postoperative surgery.

Another major cause of hyperacusis can ear wax removal incorrectly carried out.

This procedure should only be carried out by an ENT specialist but is often performed by nurses and general practioners who are not really skilled in this area.

The shock and noise of the ear wax removal if not correctly done, is a major cause of hyperacusis and tinnitus.

Hyperacusis is a chronic condition, and there is unfortunately no quick fix. It will take at least 8 -12 weeks to treat and maybe even longer in severe cases, but should in no case take longer than 16 - 24 weeks.

Most clients report a significant improvement in the tolerance to noise within 12 weeks as well as a substantial reduction in the levels of tinnitus.