What is hyperacusis? Discover the causes, symptoms, treatment and whether hearing aids can help

What is Hyperacusis?

Can hearing aids help with hyperacusis?

Overview    |    What is hyperacusis?    |    Causes and symptoms    |    Treatment    |    Hyperacusis and hearing loss

Last Hearing Aid UK Update:  05/03/2026

Hyperacusis overview

Hyperacusis is a hearing condition where everyday sounds seem excessively loud and uncomfortable. It results from the brain’s over-sensitivity to noise and can be caused by noise exposure, head injury, or certain medical conditions.

Symptoms include pain, anxiety, and difficulty tolerating normal sound environments. Treatment may involve sound therapy and counselling.

This article aims to explore the causes, symptoms, treatments, whether there is a cure for this invisible condition, and whether hearing aids can help.

What is hyperacusis?

Hyperacusis is a condition defined by an increased sensitivity to certain sounds. People with hyperacusis usually find certain sounds that are normally tolerable to some can become very uncomfortable or even painful to them.

For example, common sounds like the sound of a dishwasher, traffic noise, or even the sound of a person's own voice can be intolerable. 

Hyperacusis causes and hyperacusis symptoms

What causes hyperacusis?  Hyperacusis can affect people of all ages and can occur in one or both ears. It can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as exposure to loud noise, head injury, certain medications, and ear disorders.

What are the symptoms of hyperacusis?  The symptoms of hyperacusis can vary from person to person, but may include ear pain, discomfort, or ringing in the ears (tinnitus), a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears, and an increased sensitivity to certain sounds. 

Related reading:  Hearing aids and tinnitus 

Below is a breakdown of the common symptoms of hyperacusis:

• Discomfort or pain to everyday sounds that are not normally labelled as loud or painful, such as the sound of a dishwasher or a car engine.
• A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears.
• Tinnitus symptoms, such as buzzing or ringing in the ears.
• A feeling of discomfort from certain irritating sounds, such as those made by people chewing or swallowing.
• Anxiety, stress, or social withdrawal is related to the discomfort caused by hyperacusis symptoms.
• Headaches or migraines to certain sounds.
• Fatigue or exhaustion due to constantly filtering out unwanted sounds.

Hyperacusis treatment

Treating hyperacusis isn't a one-size-fits-all process — what helps one person may not suit another. Here's a look at some of the options they might explore with you:

• Sound therapy:  Sound therapy uses white noise or other calming sounds to gradually desensitise the ears and reduce sensitivity over time. It's more accessible than many people expect — delivered through a white noise machine, hearing aids, or even a smartphone app — and can make everyday sounds feel far less overwhelming with regular use.
• Hyperacusis and anxiety: Counselling may be helpful for people with hyperacusis who are experiencing anxiety, depression, or other emotional issues related to their condition. A therapist can help individuals cope with the emotional and psychological effects of hyperacusis.
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT):  Hyperacusis can take a real toll on mental wellbeing, and anxiety or depression often go hand in hand with the condition. CBT helps by working through the negative thoughts and behaviours that build up around sound sensitivity — making it a valuable option for those whose mental health has been affected as much as their hearing.
• Lifestyle modifications: Making lifestyle changes such as avoiding loud noises, wearing earplugs or earmuffs when in noisy environments, and reducing stress levels can also help manage hyperacusis symptoms.
• Medications: Some medications may help manage hyperacusis symptoms, such as anti-anxiety medications or antidepressants. 
• Tinnitus and hyperacusis:  For some people, hyperacusis and tinnitus go hand in hand. If that sounds familiar, Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) may be worth exploring. It combines sound therapy with counselling to gradually retrain the brain's response to sound, reducing the distress both conditions can cause over time.

What is hyperacusis, and what can help?

Hyperacusis and hearing loss

Are there links between hyperacusis and hearing loss?

Hyperacusis and hearing loss are two different conditions that can sometimes occur together. Hyperacusis is a condition where a person experiences an increased sensitivity to certain sounds, while hearing loss is a condition where a person has difficulty hearing certain sounds.

A person can have both hyperacusis and hearing loss. In some cases, hearing loss can lead to hyperacusis because the brain becomes more sensitive to certain sounds as it tries to compensate for the hearing loss. 

Hyperacusis can also cause hearing loss. If a person with hyperacusis avoids certain sounds because they are uncomfortable or painful, they may be depriving their ears of important auditory stimulation. Over time, this can lead to a decreased ability to hear certain sounds.

Related reading:  Types of hearing loss

Hyperacusis and hearing aids

Treatment for both hyperacusis and hearing loss will depend on the specific symptoms and causes of each condition. If you suspect that you have either condition, you will need to see an audiologist for a professional diagnosis and treatment plan.

If you are considering hearing aids, you need to work with an audiologist who can guide you through the process. They may recommend hearing aids that have advanced features, such as frequency compression, that can help reduce the discomfort with certain sounds.

The audiologist may recommend a gradual approach to using hearing aids for people with hyperacusis. This may involve starting with very low amplification levels and gradually increasing the volume over time as the person becomes accustomed to the new sounds.

Hearing aids aren't for everyone with hyperacusis

For some people with hyperacusis and hearing loss, hearing aids may be a helpful treatment option. However, hearing aids are not always recommended for people with hyperacusis, as they can sometimes exacerbate the symptoms of sound sensitivity.

An audiologist can help determine the best treatment plan for each individual based on their specific symptoms and needs.

Hyperacusis test

Getting a hyperacusis diagnosis isn't always straightforward. Because the condition affects people so differently, a thorough evaluation by an audiologist is usually needed before any decisions about treatment can be made.

This typically involves a series of tests — including audiological assessments, Loudness Discomfort Level (LDL) testing, acoustic reflex tests, and sometimes Electromyography (EMG) — each helping to build a clearer picture of where the sensitivity lies.

There is currently no known cure for hyperacusis, and that can be a difficult thing to hear. There are a number of treatment options available that can make a real difference to day-to-day life — helping to reduce sensitivity over time, manage the emotional impact of the condition, and give people back some of the confidence and comfort that hyperacusis can take away.

For many, the right support means symptoms become significantly more manageable, even if they don't disappear entirely. If you think you might have hyperacusis, the most important step is getting a proper assessment.

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