With Hyperacusis, the dynamic range of the ear is affected. The dynamic range relates to the ear’s ability to deal with sudden changes in the volume of sounds heard. In normal hearing, the ear regulates noise by amplifying quiet sounds and muting very loud sounds. Hyperacusis inhibits the central nervous system from responding appropriately to incoming sounds. Every day noises, even pages of a magazine being turned, can sound excruciatingly loud.

Hyperacusis is often a chronic condition, meaning sufferers experience it on an ongoing basis. Between 25% and 40% of sufferers also experience tinnitus. Many hyperacusis sufferers also report a degree of hearing loss, inner ear pain or pressure in the ears.

Often hyperacusis first develops in one ear, but both ears are usually affected eventually. The condition can either develop gradually or suddenly as the result of being exposed to sudden loud noise.
Causes of Hyperacusis include temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, head injury, acoustic trauma, some forms of autism, prolonged exposure to loud noise, Lyme’s disease, Meniere’s disease, damage to the brain or the neurological system and conditions such as schizophrenia and epilepsy. It can also be caused by medications such as antipsychotics, antidepressants and illicit drugs.

Hyperacusis can affect every area of life, as sufferers are driven to take drastic measures to find relief, such as leaving their jobs, moving house to an isolated area or stopping socializing. Sufferers’ mental health can be adversely affected and they are at risk of developing conditions such as depression. Many sufferers resort to wearing ear mufflers or ear plugs in an attempt to muffle the sound. However this can exacerbate the symptoms of hyperacusis and place the sufferer at risk of developing phonophobia, which is an overwhelming fear of noise.

Treatment
Hyperacusis has been found to respond to pink noise therapy. Pink noise most closely matched the spectrum of noise we hear in our normal daily lives and works by desensitizing the ear to noise. It is thought to be better than using white noise as hyperacusis sufferers are more sensitive to the higher frequency content in white noise.

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy using sound generators has also been found to be effective at treating hyperacusis.

If you suspect you are suffering from hyperacusis, consult your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment options.