The name "hyperacusis" sounds a bit mysterious, but unfortunately it is a reality for many people. This condition, also called extreme hypersensitivity to sound, makes normal sounds unbearably loud and uncomfortable. Like having your head constantly in a speaker set. In this article, we dive into the world of hyperacusis, looking at the possible causes, symptoms and solutions.
What exactly is hyperacusis?
When you suffer from hyperacusis, it is as if the volume of the world is turned up to full volume. Imagine the sound of a faucet being turned on or even whispers being perceived as too loud already. This is because in people with this condition, the control system in their ears, which is responsible for regulating sound volume, has become hypersensitive.
Hyperacusis: causes
As with many medical conditions, the exact cause of developing hyperacusis is often complex. It arises from a combination of biological, genetic and environmental factors. Nevertheless, a number of factors can be identified that contribute to hypersensitivity to sound.
One of the most common causes is experiencing tinnitus, a hearing disorder associated with hearing buzzing, whistling or whooshing sounds. The constant presence of these sounds can overload and interfere with hearing perception; sometimes resulting in hyperacusis.
Hyperacusis can also occur in people suffering from other conditions. Such as PTSD, in which there is increased sensitivity to sensory input. Or in people with Ménière's disease, a condition of the inner ear that can interfere with hearing and balance. And there is also a higher risk of hyperacusis in migraine and autism.
In addition, prolonged exposure to noise can lead to hyperacusis. For example, those who work in noisy environments, such as construction sites, clubs or music festivals, may eventually develop this condition. The persistent loud noises take a heavy toll on your hearing, shifting the threshold for what is perceived as "too loud.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Thus, the most obvious symptom of hyperacusis is hypersensitivity to everyday sounds. People with hyperacusis may even experience physical pain at sounds that others consider normal, such as the sound of the doorbell or the ticking of a clock.
If you suspect you suffer from hyperacusis, the first thing you should do is see a specialist. For example, an ENT doctor. The diagnostic process usually begins with a thorough discussion of your symptoms. This involves identifying all sorts of details, such as: when did you first notice the symptoms? Can you identify specific sounds that you find annoying? And how does it affect your daily life? This helps them get a
They will then perform a hearing test to determine the exact range and nature of your hearing loss. One of the tests commonly used to diagnose hyperacusis is the Uncomfortable Loudness Level (ULL) test, also known as the UCL test. In this, the doctor looks for your loudness discomfort levels (LDLs) - the point at which sounds of a certain volume become uncomfortable.
Based on your symptoms, your description of your experiences and the results of the hearing test, the specialist will then determine if you have hyperacusis.
Sound therapy as a treatment for hyperacusis
There are no medications for hyperacusis. But there are treatments to learn to cope with it. One is sound therapy. This is a type of therapy aimed at getting your ears and brain used to normal sounds again. This is then done through exposure to a series of quiet sounds.
In addition to therapies, custom-made earplugs can also play a big role in treating hyperacusis. They can help reduce the noise level to reduce the overload on your hearing. Audinc is a specialist in hearing protection. We offer custom earplugs that fit your ears perfectly and protect your hearing from stressful or damaging sounds.
Reducing stimuli with earplugs
In addition to protection, custom-made earplugs also offer the ability to reduce the amount of stimuli. This can contribute to a more comfortable experience of the world around you. And thus to learning to live with hyperacusis.
Preventing hypersensitivity to sound
Still, of course, the best advice is: avoid getting hyperacusis. So always protect your hearing properly at events with loud music, work or exposure to other noise. custom-made earplugs are an important tool for this.
Whether you need earplugs for work, events, music listening, or to make your daily life more enjoyable, custom hearing protection like Audinc's can help you put the world back on your volume!
