When Sounds Seem Too Loud:
Hyperacusis, Recruitment, Misophonia, Phonophobia
Children and adults-regardless of hearing levels, may develop troublesome perceptions to sound.
Some may experience intolerance to sounds that others view to be average or only slightly loud. For example, the sound and loudness of the vacuum cleaner may force them to leave the building. Certain acoustic environments, such as a reverberant gymnasium may be painful, causing academic conflicts for completing a physical education course. People with Williams Syndrome often experience hyperacusis. These individuals usually will have normal hearing.
Some people with hearing loss will also experience loudness difficulties that may or may not be hyperacusis. A sensorineural hearing loss usually means that soft sounds are not audible and loud sounds are too loud. There is abnormal growth in loudness. Certain conductive hearing losses, such as those caused by otosclerosis may result in intolerance to loud sounds but no difficulty with soft or medium sounds.
Some individuals find certain sounds at a specific pitch range to be aversive, no matter what the loudness. Public (not scientific) literature describes this as misophonia.
Others fear sounds (phonophobia).
Sound protection and sound desensitization are the general methods used to change this central troublesome perception. Over use of sound plugs will make the condition worse. For individuals with hyperacusis, devices are programmed to systematically increase tolerance to sounds. More than 90% of individuals are helped with this strategy.
Appalachian Audiology offers evaluation, support, education, and treatment for these sound disorders. Treatment follows protocols developed at the University of California (Irvine) and the University of Iowa Tinnitus Clinic. Treatment is rarely covered by insurance. Prior authorization is recommended.