A Clear Guide to Hyperacusis
Focused Support for Hyperacusis
Hyperacusis makes everyday sounds feel uncomfortably loud or overwhelming, often without causing ear damage. Many people improve with the right guidance and care. An urgent audiovestibular medicine review is needed if sound sensitivity appears suddenly, worsens rapidly, follows a head injury or infection, or occurs with hearing loss, vertigo, or neurological symptoms.
Sound Sensitivity
An Overview of Hyperacusis
Hyperacusis is a condition in which the brain processes sound with abnormally high sensitivity, making everyday noises feel intrusive, uncomfortable, or even painful. The ears themselves may function normally, but the way sound signals are interpreted leads to reduced tolerance of noise, particularly sudden or high-pitched sounds.
This condition can develop on its own or alongside hearing loss, tinnitus, migraine, or following noise exposure, infection, or stress. Sensitivity levels vary widely and may fluctuate. Hyperacusis does not mean the ears are damaged, but it can significantly affect daily life. Understanding how sound sensitivity develops is the first step toward managing symptoms safely and effectively.
OUR REVIEW
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Pinpointing the Cause
Diagnosing Hyperacusis
When to Get Checked
Sound sensitivity often settles with guidance, but certain changes signal the need for timely specialist review. Early assessment helps exclude serious causes and guides practical steps to promptly reduce distress and prevent the development of avoidance behaviours safely.
You should get assessed if sound intolerance appears suddenly, escalates quickly, follows a head injury or infection, limits communication, disrupts sleep, or comes with hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, headaches, facial weakness, visual disturbance, neurological symptoms, or one-sided ear pain.
How We Assess Hyperacusis
At Harley AVM, we place everyday sound tolerance at the centre of assessment, alongside targeted testing. We study which sounds trigger discomfort, how tolerance has changed over time, and whether symptoms link to hearing loss, tinnitus, migraine, stress, or previous noise exposure. This detailed discussion helps us identify contributing factors and avoid approaches that may worsen sound avoidance.
Testing is carefully selected and may include pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, speech-in-noise testing, tympanometry, acoustic reflex threshold measurement, eustachian tube function tests, and otoacoustic emissions. Our senior audiovestibular specialist leads the assessment, ensuring findings are interpreted sensitively and placed within the full clinical and behavioural context.
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DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
Specialist Tests to Assess Hearing, Balance and Inner Ear Health
Harley Street Specialists in Hearing, Dizziness & Balance
Specialist Care for Hyperacusis
Every Hyperacusis case is different. Your consultant will create a tailored plan to address your specific symptoms and lifestyle – when it started, how it affects your day, and which tests and treatments are right for you.