Causes and risk factors
The causes of hyperacusis include over exposure to loud sound, depression, head injury, posttraumatic stress disorder, chronic ear infection, adverse drug reaction. Diseases associated with hyperacusis are Lyme disease, Meniere’s disease, acoustic trauma, temporomandibular joint disorder, Bell’s palsy, migraine, tension myositis syndrome, Williams’s syndrome. Hyperacusis can also result post surgery.
Clinical presentation
Patient with hyperacusis presents with intolerance to day-to-day sounds like shutting doors, ringing phones, television, running water, ticking clocks, or normal conversation. There is sensitivity to car honking, children screaming, clanging of silverware and dishes, etc. Patient is seen wearing earplugs or earmuffs most of the times. Patient complains of ear pain, tinnitus, phonophobia. There can be nausea. Loss of balance and dizziness can be experienced. Patient has severe anxiety or stress when exposed to any sound.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and clinical examination by the ENT doctor helps in diagnosis. Audiometry helps in exact diagnosis.
Treatment
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy and Berard Auditory Integration Training helps to decrease sensitivity to sound. Acoustic therapies also contribute to the treatment. Psychological counseling helps to cope better with the hyperacusis.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating hyperacusis. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization and considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly, the Ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates is also found to be effective in treating hyperacusis.
