Hyperacusis

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Hyperacusis (pronounced: hi-per-uh-KYOO-sis) is a rare hearing disorder characterized by an increased sensitivity to certain frequencies and volume ranges of sound. A person with hyperacusis has difficulty tolerating everyday sounds, which become painful or loud.

Etymology

The term "hyperacusis" comes from the Greek words "hyper", meaning "over", and "akousis", meaning "hearing".

Symptoms

The main symptom of hyperacusis is an intolerance to sounds that would not bother most people. These can include ordinary sounds like the noise of a running faucet, a ringing telephone, or even the shuffling of papers. People with hyperacusis often find high-pitched noises especially unpleasant.

Causes

The exact cause of hyperacusis is unknown. It may be associated with a number of other health conditions, including Lyme disease, Meniere's disease, Tay-Sachs disease, and exposure to sudden, loud noise. Some people may be born with hyperacusis, while others may develop it later in life.

Treatment

Treatment for hyperacusis typically involves a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and sound therapy. CBT can help a person manage their reactions to the sounds that bother them, while sound therapy can help desensitize the person to those sounds.

Related Terms

  • Audiology: The branch of science and medicine concerned with the sense of hearing.
  • Decibel: A unit used to measure the intensity of a sound.
  • Tinnitus: A ringing or buzzing noise in one or both ears that may be constant or come and go, often associated with hearing loss.

External links

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