Hyperacusis:
when everyday sounds
feel too much.
Everyday sounds can feel overwhelming when you have hyperacusis. Washing dishes, a barking dog or a busy café may sound unusually loud, uncomfortable or even painful. If this feels familiar, we’re here to listen and help you explore your next steps.
What is hyperacusis?
Hyperacusis is reduced tolerance to everyday sounds that most people find comfortable. It can affect one or both ears, and may develop gradually or begin suddenly. You can experience it even when a hearing test shows normal hearing.
Are all types of sound sensitivity the same?
Different forms of sound sensitivity can overlap:
Hyperacusis
Everyday sounds feel excessively loud, uncomfortable or painful.
Misophonia
Particular sounds, such as chewing, trigger strong reactions like anger or disgust.
Phonophobia
Fear or anxiety about sound, or the possibility of encountering it.
Recruitment
With some types of hearing loss, sounds can quickly become too loud as their volume increases.
An assessment can help clarify what you are experiencing.
What can cause hyperacusis?
The exact cause is not always clear. Hyperacusis may develop after loud noise exposure or occur alongside tinnitus, migraine or other health conditions. Sometimes there is no obvious trigger.
Having hyperacusis does not automatically mean you have hearing loss. Understanding your symptoms and medical history helps guide appropriate care.
Source: NHS ↗
How can an assessment help?
We can listen to your concerns, assess your hearing and discuss whether further specialist advice or an ENT referral is needed.
It helps to tell us which sounds bother you, whether they cause pain, when your symptoms began and how they affect daily life. Hearing tests should be tailored to your needs and comfort.
Finding a way forward
Support is individual. Depending on your needs, options may include:
Understanding your symptoms
Information and counselling to help you make sense of your experience.
Carefully guided sound therapy
Gentle sound exposure tailored to your tolerance.
Support with distress
Approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help manage the emotional impact.
Care for related conditions
Treating an underlying condition, when identified, may help.
Source: NHS ↗
Take the first step
If sound sensitivity is affecting your everyday life, we can help you understand your hearing and discuss appropriate support.
Book a hearing assessment ↗Find a gentler approach to everyday sound.
Explore practical ideas, ways to find support and answers to common questions about living with hyperacusis.
Explore Living with Hyperacusis →Also experiencing tinnitus?
Tinnitus and hyperacusis can occur together. Explore our related pages for further information and practical support.