Noise sensitivity (hyperacusis)

Check if you have hyperacusis

You may have hyperacusis if some everyday sounds seem much louder than they should. It can sometimes be painful.

You may be affected by sounds like:

• jingling coins
• a barking dog
• a car engine
• someone chewing
• a vacuum cleaner

Your sensitivity to noise can affect relationships, school or work and your general wellbeing.

Hyperacusis can affect 1 or both ears. It can come on suddenly or develop over time.

Other types of hearing sensitivity:

• if some sounds make you angry, you may have misophonia
• if some sounds make you anxious, you may have phonophobia
• if your ears have trouble adjusting between quiet and loud sounds, you may have recruitment

Treatment for hyperacusis

Hyperacusis can be cured if it's caused by another condition, such as a migraine, head injury or Lyme disease.

If there's no clear cause, you may be offered treatment to help make you less sensitive to everyday sounds.

This could be:

• sound therapy to get you used to everyday sounds again, and may involve wearing ear pieces that make white noise
• cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to change the way you think about your hyperacusis and reduce anxiety

Things you can try to ease hyperacusis

Causes of hyperacusis

The cause of hyperacusis is unclear. It can appear on its own or with other conditions, like:

• tinnitus
• a head injury
• Ménière's disease
• Lyme disease
• migraines
• Williams syndrome

Find out more about hyperacusis from the British Tinnitus Association.