Condition Lookup

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Sub-Category:

Other Hearing Disorders

Number of Conditions: 1

Hyperacusis (Increased Sensitivity to Sounds)

Specialty: Ear

Category: Hearing Disorders

Sub-category: Other Hearing Disorders

Symptoms:
pain or discomfort in response to everyday sounds; avoidance or fear of noisy environments; possible tinnitus (ringing in the ears); stress or anxiety in noisy situations; feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears

Root Cause:
An abnormal increase in the central or peripheral auditory system’s sensitivity or gain, causing normal sounds to seem excessively loud or painful.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through audiometry and patient history.

Treatment:
Treated with sound therapy and counseling.

Medications:
In some cases, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as sertraline or paroxetine , can be prescribed to help manage the anxiety or depression associated with hyperacusis. Benzodiazepines (anti-anxiety medications), like clonazepam , may sometimes be used short-term to alleviate severe anxiety symptoms.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Exact prevalence is not fully established; estimates suggest up to 2–9% of the population may have some degree of reduced sound tolerance.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Prolonged exposure to loud noise; Head or ear trauma (e.g., traumatic brain injury); Certain neurological conditions (e.g., migraines); Autoimmune or viral inner-ear disorders; Stress, anxiety, or depression

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With appropriate sound therapy and counseling, many individuals experience improvement in sound tolerance and overall quality of life. Prognosis varies, but symptoms often become more manageable over time.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Social isolation due to avoidance of noisy environments; Heightened anxiety or depression; Impact on daily activities and work life