Tinnitus & Hyperacusis

Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a hearing condition where people hear noises, hisses or hums that have no external source – this unreal sensation is often described as a ‘ringing in the ears,’ which can either be low or high-pitched. It can be intermittent or continuous and can occur in one or both ears and is often most noticeable in quiet listening environments. In almost all cases, tinnitus is a subjective noise, meaning that only the person who has tinnitus can hear it. Learn more about Tinnitus.

HYPERACUSIS

Hyperacusis is a disorder in loudness perception. Patients suffering from hyperacusis may appear overly sensitive to a range of sounds, finding many noises unbearable and painfully loud. Hyperacusis is not the same as “recruitment,” a disorder that can be a normal consequence of hearing loss and is associated with abnormal perception of sound as the volume increases.

The hallmark symptom of hyperacusis is having a reduced tolerance and increased sensitivity to everyday sounds in your normal environment. People who suffer from the disease often complain of living in a world in which the volume seems to be turned up too high. Because of this, their quality of life is affected, and they may begin to wear earplugs or earmuffs in public situations where they cannot control the noise.

For people with hyperacusis, the everyday, normal sounds that most people hardly notice suddenly become irritating and painful. Often the most disturbing sounds are sudden, high-pitched noises, such as alarms, bus brakes, the clanging of silverware and dishes, children’s screams and clapping. Learn more about Hyperacusis.