Treatments for hyperacusis

There are no specific medicines or operations that can treat hyperacusis, although treating any underlying cause may help resolve the problem.

If there's no clear cause, specialist techniques to help reduce your sensitivity to noise may be recommended.

These therapies are widely available privately, and may be available on the NHS for people with severe or persistent hyperacusis. Theyshould only be carried out by someone specially trained in thecorrect techniques.

Treatment may involve:

• cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) this aims to help you explore and change the way you think about the troublesome noisesto reduce distress, change your avoidance behaviour, and help you recover from your hyperacusis symptoms
• counselling and education to support you and help you learn more about your hyperacusis
• sound therapy (desensitisation) this aims to help desensitise your hearing over several months, using special noise generators either placed in the room or in your ears (similar to hearing aids)
• lifestyle changes including learning relaxation techniques , listening to calming music or sounds, not avoiding noisy situations, and not using earplugs or muffs (these may make your ears more sensitive)

Recent researchsuggests patients often feel CBT, counselling and education are the most effective treatments. Some people also found sound therapy helpful, but it wasn't clear whether it provided any additional benefit.

You may also find it helpful toget in touch with a support group, such asthe British Tinnitus Association and Action on Hearing Loss , to talk to other peoplewith hyperacusis and share your experiences.