Symptoms
Everyday sounds feel unusually loud, uncomfortable, painful, or overwhelming.
Hearing conditions
Hyperacusis
An increased sensitivity to everyday sounds that others may find comfortable.
Causes
It may occur with hearing changes, migraine, head injury, neurologic conditions, stress, or without a clear cause.
Risk factors
Prior sound sensitivity, migraine, head injury, anxiety, tinnitus, and some neurologic conditions.
Testing
A hearing evaluation and clinical history can help characterize sound sensitivity and identify related concerns.
Treatment
Care may include education, gradual sound strategies, hearing rehabilitation, and treatment of contributing conditions.
When to seek medical attention
Seek medical care for new sound sensitivity after head injury, with neurologic symptoms, or with sudden hearing changes.
Which professional can help?
An audiologist can assess sound tolerance and guide rehabilitation. An ENT or other clinician may evaluate medical contributors.
Find a hearing-care professionalThis guide is educational and is not a diagnosis. A qualified clinician can help you understand symptoms in the context of your personal health history.