Pain is your body’s method of delivering information. It’s an effective method though not a very enjoyable one. When your ears begin 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, despite their minimal volume, 8-10% of individuals will feel pain from low volume sounds as well. Hearing specialists refer to this affliction 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
Hypersensitivity to sound is known as hyperacusis. Most people with hyperacusis have episodes that are brought about by a particular set of sounds (commonly sounds within a frequency range). Quiet noises will frequently sound very loud. And noises that are loud sound a lot louder than they actually are.
nobody’s really certain what causes hyperacusis, though it is frequently associated with tinnitus or other hearing problems (and, in some situations, neurological concerns). There’s a significant degree of individual variability when it comes to the symptoms, severity, and treatment of hyperacusis.
What type of response is typical for hyperacusis?
Here’s how hyperacusis, in most situations, will look and feel::
- You may notice 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 pain will be worse the louder the sound is.
- Everyone else will think a specific sound is quiet but it will sound very loud to you.
- Balance issues and dizziness can also be experienced.
Treatments for hyperacusis
When your hyperacusis makes you sensitive to a wide assortment 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 an intense migraine.
That’s why it’s so essential to get treatment. There are various treatments available depending on your particular situation and we can help you pick one that’s best for you. Here are some of the most prevalent options:
Masking devices
One of the most frequently implemented treatments for hyperacusis is something called a masking device. This is technology that can cancel out specified wavelengths. These devices, then, are able to selectively hide those triggering wavelengths of sound before they ever reach your ear. You can’t have a hyperacusis attack if you can’t hear the offending sound!
Earplugs
Earplugs are a less sophisticated take on the same basic approach: you can’t have a hyperacusis attack if you’re unable to hear… well, anything. There are undoubtedly some disadvantages to this low tech approach. There’s some evidence to suggest that, over time, the earplugs can throw your hearing ecosystem even further off and make your hyperacusis worse. If you’re thinking about using earplugs, give us a call for a consultation.
Ear retraining
One of the most comprehensive methods of managing hyperacusis is called ear retraining therapy. You’ll try to change how you react to certain types of sounds by using physical therapy, emotional counseling, and a combination of devices. The concept is that you can train yourself to dismiss sounds (kind of like with tinnitus). Generally, this approach has a good rate of success but depends heavily on your commitment to the process.
methods that are less common
Less prevalent methods, like ear tubes or medication, are also utilized to manage hyperacusis. These strategies are less commonly utilized, depending on the specialist and the person, because they have delivered mixed success.
Treatment makes a big difference
Because hyperacusis tends to vary from person to person, a unique treatment plan can be developed depending on your symptoms as you encounter them. There’s no single best approach to managing hyperacusis, it really depends on choosing the right treatment for you.
