Quick read
Key points
- 1
Hyperacusis is an increased sensitivity to everyday sounds, where noises that wouldn't normally bother most people, such as running water, chewing, or traffic, feel uncomfortably loud or even painful. It can occur alone or alongside tinnitus.
- 2
Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
- 3
Everyday sounds are becoming increasingly uncomfortable or painful
01 · Know
What is Noise sensitivity (hyperacusis)?
Hyperacusis is an increased sensitivity to everyday sounds, where noises that wouldn't normally bother most people, such as running water, chewing, or traffic, feel uncomfortably loud or even painful. It can occur alone or alongside tinnitus.
It can develop after exposure to loud noise, head injury, certain migraines, or conditions affecting the facial nerve, though sometimes no clear cause is found. It can range from mild irritation to a significant impact on daily life.
02 · Understand
Clinical context
Self-care advice
See your GP or an audiologist if noise sensitivity is new, persistent, or affecting your quality of life.
03 · Act
When to see a doctor
- 1Everyday sounds are becoming increasingly uncomfortable or painful
- 2Noise sensitivity is affecting your ability to work, socialise, or leave the house
- 3You also have tinnitus, ear pain, or hearing changes
- 4Symptoms started suddenly or after a head injury or loud noise exposure
- 5You've been relying heavily on earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones just to get through the day
04 · Prevent & manage
Practical steps
Take these self-care steps
These measures can help ease symptoms, support recovery, and reduce the chance of things worsening — but they don't replace medical advice if symptoms are severe or persistent.
- 1Avoid overprotecting your ears.While it's tempting to wear earplugs constantly, this can make ears more sensitive over time — use them only when genuinely needed.
- 2Consider sound therapy.Some people find gentle background noise, such as a fan or white noise machine, helps ears gradually recalibrate.
- 3Manage stress and anxiety.Hyperacusis often has a strong stress component, so relaxation techniques can help reduce the perceived severity of sounds.
- 4Seek an audiology assessment.A hearing specialist can rule out other causes and may offer sound therapy or retraining programmes tailored to you.
Evidence
References
BarnMD Health Intelligence uses authoritative and clinically relevant sources appropriate to the topic. References are shown so readers can inspect the evidence directly.
- HSE: Noise sensitivity (hyperacusis) ↗
Medical information notice
Health education, not individual medical advice
BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
BarnMD Bottom Line
Hyperacusis can improve over time with the right approach, particularly gradual, guided sound exposure rather than avoidance.
Constantly avoiding noise can make hyperacusis worse in the long run — an audiologist can help find the right balance.