Hearing and Balance

HYPERACUSIS

Do you suffer from sound sensitivity?
Hyperacusis is a condition that affects the ear’s ability to process sounds. It can be caused by an injury, illness or side effect of medication. The symptoms are often debilitating and it can make everyday life difficult. Sound Sensitivity is not just about loud noises but also soft ones as well.

We’re here to help – our goal is to provide relief for those who have been suffering from sound sensitivity through our products and services. We want everyone with this condition to live their lives without fear of being overwhelmed by noise again.
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TWO TYPES OF HYPERACUSIS

There are two types of hyperacusis, acute and chronic. Acute hyperacusis only occurs after exposure to an intense noise while chronic hyperacusis develops gradually over time with continual exposure to lesser sounds like construction noises.

HYPERACUSIS SYMPTOMS

Hyperacusis is a condition where everyday sound can be more than mildly bothersome. In fact, it may lead to loss of balance and seizures for many people who suffer from it.

Some people with hyperacusis may experience hyperacusis-related vomiting and chest pain at even the slightest hint of high frequency sound (commonly due to tinnitus). The mood swings from patients that are affected by hyperacusis plays havoc with one’s social life as well because any event they would like to participate in becomes a hassle–noise levels on airplanes or concerts creeps into the danger zone.

Below are some of symptoms of hyperacusis:
Depression
Ear pain
Anxiety
Relationship problems
Social isolation and avoidance

HYPERACUSIS CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS

Hyperacusis, or hypersensitivity to sound, causes extreme discomfort when exposed to any type of loud noise. Sound for people with hyperacusis ranges from being too high pitched for someone without the condition, to a much lower volume than those without it.

The most common cause of hyperacusis is high noise exposure, but there are many more factors that contribute to the risk for this condition like occupational and recreational noise exposure.

HYPERACUSIS DIAGNOSIS

If you think you have hyperacusis, you need to see an audiologist or an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor (ENT).  One of the first step in diagnosing hyperacusis is by getting a hearing test. 

TREATING HYPERACUSIS

Hyperacusis is a hearing disorder that causes individuals to hear all noises at an extreme volume. People often experience anxiety, panic attacks, and other emotional problems as a result of hyperacusis. Sound Desensitization can help train the individual’s brain to not react so strongly to different volumes of sound. However, there is no exact medicine for hyperacusis yet – it’s only been researched extensively in recent years.


Sound desensitization can be done with a device that resembles something like a hearing aid. You wear it in either ear and it is fitted by an audiologist. It pumps out broadband noise that cuts through the nerve cells responsible for triggering impulses to your brain related to sounds. The idea behind conditioning therapy is that if we train our brains to ignore certain sound frequencies, then it’s less likely to interfere with your hearing.


When you are suffering from hyperacusis, the world around you can seem like a never-ending nightmare. It’s only natural that you would want to find relief as quickly and easily as possible. Sound therapy is one of the preferred hyperacusis treatments acknowledged by medical practitioners and audiologists.


Sound therapy is a powerful form of hyperacusis treatment that teaches you to more fully engage in the world around you. It can help provide insight into how to avoid triggers that affect your condition as well.


Sound therapy provides relief for those suffering from ear-related conditions like tinnitus and hyperacusis by teaching them coping strategies that allow them to more fully experience and engage with the sounds of their surroundings while also providing an opportunity for self reflection on the sources of their discomfort, serving as a type of self care.

HYPERACUSIS TREATMENT SPRINGFIELD , PA

You deserve to enjoy life without being constantly bothered by loud noises and cumbersome sounds. We know how difficult it can be when every sound feels just “too much” and we want to help make things better for you. PA Center for Hearing and Balance offers treatment options that are tailored specifically for each individual patient so we can offer the best chance of recovery possible.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Hyperacusis is a debilitating condition that affects one’s hearing. In some cases, the afflicted person may feel an unbearable pain when they hear certain sounds. It can also sometimes cause phonophobia, or a fear of noise.
Sounds are an important part of our lives. A constant ringing or a high-pitched whirring sound might be enough to keep you from functioning normally, but what can you do? Constant exposure to these sounds will eventually make them less irritating to your ears. This is why many people have found relief by following a treatment plan that desensitizes them and helps them adapt back into society.

Some people’s hyperacusis may resolve on its own, many others find it difficult. In most cases, there is a treatment plan that desensitizes people with hyperacusis and helps them adapt back into society so they don’t feel the need to retreat from society all day long.
Pain brought about by hyperacusis can last from five hours to several days or up to weeks or months.
Hyperacusis is a condition in which sound becomes extremely uncomfortable to the point of being unbearable. The best way to conquer this condition is through Sound Therapy, which slowly reintroduces low levels of sound and increases your tolerance for it. This process takes place over many months and often requires professional assistance from an audiologist or other health care provider trained in Sound Therapy.

Hear Better. Live Better.