Hyperacusis: When the Ear Becomes Hypersensitive

Do you sometimes hear too well? It sounds good, but it can become unbearable. There is a possibility that you suffer from hyperacusis or hyperacusis. Below is some information to help you better understand this hearing impairment.

The disorder that affects hearing, hyperacusis, is characterized by a highly demanding auditory hypersensitivity. People usually have a high tolerance to sounds, such as the crinkling of paper or wind noise, sounds that can become unbearable to people with hyperacusis. Depending on your sensitivity to noises and the environment, this condition can ruin your day. It’s time to talk and find solutions!

Causes
The causes of hyperacidity are not clearly identified to date. This disorder may be caused by damage to the auditory nerves after prolonged exposure to high levels of noise or may occur during a pathology. A trauma to the head can also cause hypersensitivity to noise. Finally, other factors that could cause hyperacusis are: emotional shock and post-traumatic stress, anxiety disorders, tinnitus, neck problems, cranial or dental disorders or certain food intolerances. “Among the etiologies of hyperacusis, it would be good to add drug consumption,” said Dr Philippe Peignard, an ENT physician at the European Union service at the Georges Pompidou Hospital in Paris.

Understanding symptoms
It is mainly everyday sounds that are annoying for people with hyperacusis. This is why some people cannot tolerate sounds at 60 decibels (the sound level for normal conversation in a quiet place) or others resent the noise of a vacuum cleaner or sometimes even birdsong. Hyperacusis can be more or less severe. “People may be living a nightmare. Exposure to noise can cause headaches, fatigue, sleep disturbances, as well as depression. Some patients end up not leaving their home and feel cut off from the outside world,” says Claudia Nyffenegger, head of the Auricula acoustic rehabilitation center in Saint Laurent d’Aigouze.

Diagnosis and care
It is possible to have a headache after a concert…this is common! But if you have a hypersensitivity to the sounds of everyday life and the headache persists, it is advisable to talk to your GP. He or she will direct you to an ENT who will do a test of your hearing. Depending on the results, the ENT may prescribe medication and/or refer you to another specialist. Medications treat the symptoms. Antidepressants, sedatives or anxiolytics – in cases where anxiety is predominant – may be prescribed, and even neuroleptics in more severe cases. “The treatment proposal is formulated according to the case. A person suffering from hyperacusis after a post-traumatic stress can practice EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and obtain interesting results, but it really depends on the general context of the patient’s life,” says Dr Philippe Peignard.

Among the specialists, the relaxation therapist will help you manage stress through breathing techniques, muscle relaxation and mental imagery, the dentist will ensure that there are no dental problems, while the osteopath will ensure that you unlock all possible neck or skull tensions. Brief treatments such as cognitive and behavioral therapy can also be effective. A more immediate solution is to use earplugs to protect against distracting noises.

Restoration of hearing
The guided method is noise exposure which is recommended for all patients, but the methods are varied and not unanimous. “It is not proven, to my knowledge, that stimulation of certain frequencies or all auditory frequencies (white noise) is more effective than exposure to sounds in real life,” believes Dr Philippe Peignard. The concept of auditory rehabilitation is to accustom the ear to noise and to play sound at all sound frequencies (including those that cause discomfort or pain) gradually in intensity and duration. Rehabilitation can be carried out in specialized centers for a specific period of time, depending on the case. “After 10 days of treatment, many patients with hyperacusis can regain a better quality of life. Rehabilitation is interesting because it avoids the need for medication or the daily use of earplugs, which help but do not allow the ear to get used to the noise,” continues Claudia Nyffenegger.

In any case, you will not have to settle for hypersensitivity to sound! Do not hesitate to consult specialists who will help you find the right treatment for your problem.

Sources:

• Interview with Dr Philippe Peignard, doctor at the ENT department of the Georges Pompidou European Hospital in Paris and at the Centre for Pain Evaluation and Treatment at the Ambroise Paré Hospital in Paris. Dr Peignard is the author of the book ‘Bien vivre avec des acouphènes’, Odile Jacob Publications, 2008.
• Interview with Claudia Nyffenegger, head of the Auricula acoustic rehabilitation centre in Saint Laurent d’Aigouze (France).