Sound intolerance (hyperacusis)
Introduction
Hyperacusis is the name for intolerance to everyday sounds that causes significant distress and affects a person's day-to-day activities.
The condition can vary quite a lot. For example, some people find loud noises extremely uncomfortable, some find certain noises particularly annoying, some develop a fear of certain noises, while others experience pain when hearing ordinary sounds.
Hyperacusis affects people of all ages and is quite common in children.
The condition may just be a minor nuisance for some, but for many it can have a major impact on their life.
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Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 29 Nov 2016
Introduction
Read about hyperacusis, an intolerance to sounds that aren't an issue for most other people. Find out about the symptoms, causes, and treatments.
Symptom s of hyperacusis
Hyperacusis can either start suddenly or develop gradually over time. When someone with the condition hears noise, they may: feel uncomfortable cover their ears or try to get away from the noise
When to get medical help
Visit your GP if you have a severe sound intolerance. They can examine your ears and refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) consultant or a hearing specialist (audiologist) for tests if necessary.
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
Causes of hyperacusis
The cause ofhyperacusis is unclear. It has been linked with a number of other conditions,although many people with hyperacusis don't have any other obvious problems. Hyperacusis has been associated w
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