Noise sensitivity (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

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

• everyday noises feel too loud or painful

Your GP may refer you to a hearing specialist for further tests and treatment.

If hyperacusis is caused by another condition, such as migraines or Lyme disease, treating the condition may help with your hyperacusis.

You can also 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, which may involve wearing ear pieces or using a portable speaker that makes white noise
• cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to change the way you think about your hyperacusis and reduce anxiety

If you find any sounds made during sound therapy uncomfortably loud or they cause you pain, then you should stop and contact your doctor for advice.

• try some relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises

• do not wear earplugs or muffs all the time because this could make you more sensitive to noise – short-term use may help in very noisy environments

• do not avoid noise completely – this can mean you miss out on regular activities and make you more sensitive to noise

The cause of hyperacusis is unclear.

It can appear on its own or after hearing a sudden loud noise, such as fireworks.

It can also appear alongside other conditions, like:

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

Children are often more sensitive to loud noises than adults. It often gets better as they get older.

But some children may become more sensitive to noise than others after having glue ear (where the ear fills up with fluid), for example, or if they have another condition, such as autism.

The main symptom of hyperacusis is finding everyday sounds like a car engine louder than they should be. It can be painful for some people.

If hyperacusis is caused by another condition, like migraines, treating that first may help. Sound therapy is also used.

If you have hyperacusis, it's best not to avoid loud noises completely. Trying things like relaxation techniques can help ease symptoms.

It's not clear what causes hyperacusis. It can happen on its own or with other conditions, like tinnitus, migraines and Lyme disease.