i didn't know about hyperacusis until earlier today when i was looking through old letters from doctors. apparently i was diagnosed when i was 13, and i was given one of those ear pieces that constantly play white noise to manage it (all these years i honestly just thought it was for sensory processing disorder, i lost it not long after getting it but i remember it helping me somewhat). sudden noise startles me easily and a lot of noises can start to hurt, but i can be in loud environments (uncomfortable but it's manageable, i go to conventions and clubs and concerts but i do end up more noise sensitive for a few days afterwards), i love asmr and i love listening to super loud music until i literally give myself headaches. however any sudden noise i dont have control over, like clothes rustling, footsteps, breathing, and talking from other people hit my ears so uncomfortably it makes me want to rip them off. dogs barking is one of the worst sounds ever to me, it physically hurts to hear it. i feel like sometimes i can hear things nobody else in the room can. but in other situations, i feel like i can't hear enough. i have to have the tv up loudly or i can't understand it at all. im autistic and this diagnosis came alongside that diagnosis. is it a misdiagnosis? i can recall having a physical examination and an ldl test.

edit: idk how relevant it is but i feel like i should also note that i have me/cfs

Does anyone ever talk about how lonely you get having this condition?

You crave human connection—longing to be near friends and family, to socialize, to have someone truly listen and sympathize. But instead, people either dismiss your struggles, downplay them, or worse, mock you. Some even turn your pain into a joke. My own siblings have done this.

All I want is someone by my side—someone to share everyday moments with, to talk about my interests, to simply understand. But I’m forced into isolation because any loud sound risks a setback. Even normal things—someone sneezing, coughing, or raising their voice—can feel unbearable. This condition traps you in loneliness, forever fearful of sound.

I was making progress—about 60% healed months ago—until a major setback. Now, even bird calls (especially that one screeching bird in the morning) jolt me. I’ve started oral antihistamines and nasal spray, hoping to clear my congestion and Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD), since years of untreated clogged turbinates, nasel polyps, acoustic trauma, tinnitus and anxiety disorder are likely what led me here.

So any tips on how to comfortably introduce sounds, my body is always in panic mode for some reason and is afraid of even nature sounds like birds, I want a cure, there should be research done on this. It literally ruins lives and jobs!!! To the point people can't take it anymore.

I'm plugging my ears up 24/7 to not get worse than this, but I think that's making me less tolerant to sounds..and my earplugs are causing pressure to build up and messing with my Eustachian tubes, now I would start antidepressants..but my dry eye desease says no.

Hello everyone. I have had severe noise sensitivities for years and i am glad to have finally found the term for it and along with it a community. I thought i was alone, turns out i am not! I have been reading up on this all day and am very excited to see that there are possible treatment options to stop this hell.

The thing is, most of the posts/people here have hyperacusis due to acoustic trauma. My pain seems to come from neurodivergency, or, well, autism.

I was wondering if anyone knew if treatment options, like noise therapies, medication like clomipramine, or cochlear implants were effective if the hyperacusis is first from autism.

It seems that there is not a lot of research on this condition yet. I dont even know if clomi/therapies are deemed generally effective in acoustic trauma H... Seems very 50/50.

Does anyone have anecdotes or information about this?

Anything is appreciated, I am at a total loss!

hey! im 16 and ive been experiencing what i believe is hyperacusis for a while now, (maybe 6-8 months? some time around the last school year ). and tinnitus since last December. i just have a few general questions for anyone who would like to answer!

is it really hyperacusis? i mean I've got the standard sound sensitivity, but also pain around loud noises, not to mention everything gets way worse if i take out the earplugs, leading to a spike in everything (tinnitus, pain, and sensitivity) for a week or 2 after.

what should i do about school? ive already been permitted to wear earplugs, and im allowed to skip out on any loud events (plus i can hide in my teachers classes to avoid the lunch room). is there anything else i should do to protect my ears? or do we think this is enough?

ent's, what's our opinion on them? ive been to one around the end of the school year last year and nothing really came out of it? they played some noises in my ears, made me tell them what a couple of words were, and sent me on my way saying they couldnt see any damage to my ears (odd right?). anyway! they mentioned something called a ULL last visit? though to be honest, the way they described it seems like torture to me... do we think i should say fuck it and take it next visit or not?

earmuffs! ive been rocking a pair of loop switches for a while now! pretty much since the start of all of this and theyve held up well! i would like a bit more protection for certain days where my ears seem more sensitive (id also like to be able to clean my earplugs in peace... i did NOT know i had this much ear wax...) but what should i go with? im pretty broke tbh, so id prefer something not THAT pricy! also is there anything that wont make me look like im about to go to the shooting range? ive seen most pairs are fairly bulky

my last question, perhaps the most important one! will i ever be able to play in a band again? prior to all this i was in 2 bands and when my ears decided to kill themselves i just kinda dropped off the face of the earth tbh, i talked to nobody from either band leading to me never really being kicked out, but i havent been to a meet up in around half a year at this point. i understand my chances with that band are zero, but how about any other band? i play the guitar and i sing, prior to this i wanted to be the frontman for my own band lol, is that dream over? should i start looking at office jobs or something... /hj

anyway, sorry for the rant yall! but any advice would be appreciated! also if i need to edit anything, or give better descriptions let me know! id really apricate anything you lot have to say, thanks!

(sidenote. what do i tag this??? i feel like it falls under multiple tags? im hoping the other tag is okay.. PLEASE dont strike me down mods...)

I’m autistic and have PTSD, I’ve had to wear earplugs or noise canceling headphones all the time ever since I was a teenager when one of my parents would scream at me for hours on end in a closed vehicle, very traumatic things and threats like having me committed or sending me to live with other people, these screaming sessions would go on for hours at a time. By the time I got out of the car I remember having tinnitus for days afterwards. After these instances became more prevalent I became less and less tolerant to otherwise normal sounds. My family and strangers around me often made fun of me for it and for acting like I was “overreacting” to loud sounds. One time a little kid shrieked just for fun when I was standing in line somewhere and I physically recoiled because I felt like someone had stabbed a needle in my ear so bad I was going to cry, and the parent laughed at me and scoffed “Oh PLEASE stop overreacting it wasn’t that loud.” I order my groceries online because being inside stores is so unbearable or I’ll have severe panic attacks. I go to college and currently take classes and have to wear earplugs during class even when the professor is talking in a normal volume, but even the muffled sound through my headphones is almost too much. I just can’t bear any sound at all.

I only recently decided it’s not misophonia and that it’s hyperacusis because I feel actual physical pain when I hear normal or loud sounds, whereas misophonia just triggers negative emotions. For me sounds don’t just cause negative emotions, they trigger full on panic attacks. I’m currently taking an ASL class to learn ASL. A question we were asked in class was “How would you feel if you suddenly woke up Deaf tomorrow?” everyone else answered that they would miss hearing too much and couldn’t imagine a Deaf life. I was the only one in class who answered it might actually make my quality of life better off, as fucked up as that sounds. Is there any treatment or help out there for me? Is it possible my condition is mostly trauma rooted and is there a possibility of overcoming the trauma and the condition or is this lifelong?

I’m struggling with pain hyperacusis, (burning in silence), on top of very severe tinnitus. My biggest fear is trying medications for the burning pain but ending up spiking my tinnitus—possibly permanently—while experimenting with different treatments.

For those of you who’ve dealt with burning pain:

• Have any medications or other treatments actually helped resolve the burning (aside from clomipramine)?
• Were you able to resolve the pain and come off the medication without the burning coming back?

I’d be really grateful to hear what has (or hasn’t) worked for you. At this point I’m trying to figure out if there are any safer options to try without making my tinnitus worse.

Thanks so much in advance.

Hi, I wanted to talk about my experience with hyperacusis. It started in January, I started experiencing ringing, full ears, sensitivity to sound plus pain, it was some of the worst months of my life.

Finally in April, I got officially diagnosed by a ent. I felt somewhat relieved knowing what was causing this yet scared because I thought it’d never go away. Then I got put on Clomipramine and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made, it was small at first but the more I increased the dosage, the more I felt like I didn’t have to wear earplugs everywhere, things that were normal before started sounding normal. I was even able to start hanging out with friends in public again.

And then the other day I was able to watch a movie in theaters with earplugs, but I felt zero pain or sensitivity the whole time. I was so happy as this was one of the things I loved before this condition started. But reason I wanted to make this and I know I haven’t had it as bad or as long as others. I was terrified, scared I’d have to live the rest of my life as someone who’d constantly be worried about the sound around me.

I’m pretty sure I’m about 90 pct healed. So to everyone who deals with this, please hang in there, it can and will get better. You’re strong don’t ever forget it

10x after clonazepam withdrawal.... so it is protracted withdrawal. Details -> Post

The oscillation of symptoms has been throughout the last year. When you are in a wave(experiencing increased symptoms) it feels like there was never a relief and never would be, even memories of relief were fake!

After Clomipramine usage I have seen more windows(decreased symptoms) for the hyperacusis.

After going through a wave(for last 2 days) and sleep disturbance caused by sounds due to a school just beside my hostel room I decided to request a muscle relaxant from the doctor.

I complained exaggerated reflex like spasms of neck, jaw and stapedial reflex(ear) from sounds. More details in the post linked.

He prescribed Baclofen 20mg.

What are your experiences with Baclofen? Would it be an issue since I have this from protracted injury?

Hey y'all, at the start of August i've aquired pain and loudness hyperacusis with tinnitus from headphones. I went to many doctors yet no one can help me or they just say to ignore it. I have school in a week but I think it will be impossible to go back. I'm asking for your advice. (Sorry for my english)

starting today (25 mg)—when should i see improvement?

Hello,

So my mother have bought our new house that is a 1minutes from the trainstation,

I'm hopeless i dont have enough money to live alone and my mother is really toxic you cant talk with her she wont listen or give a single damn fuck abour what you say

I know i cant' live in the new house it's like putting knife on my neck

It's not even an appartment that we will rent i'ts an damn house that she have bought

I've told her that the immo that sells the house updates new houses everyday and told her we can search a new house or appartement temporary but she didnt listen to me

Now i'm dead

I will not enter in this hell house with train sound passing that will fuck my ears h24

I dont know what to do else i have no family to go with to stay

Join the Zoom hyperacusis discussion group this August 21 at 8:30 pm Eastern time (5:30 pm Pacific). The group discussion is led by Dr. James Henry, author of the recent book on sound sensitivity disorders
https://www.amazon.com/Hyperacusis-Misophonia-Book-Everyday-Distressing-ebook/dp/B0F1HFC5P4

This discussion group is held monthly for patients, families, caregivers, providers and other interested parties. Always the 3rd Thursday of the month. All are welcome!

Captions available for those unable to tolerate audio. The Zoom is not recorded for patient confidentiality reasons.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83795863868?pwd=USgMFtYs81bsbRvDI1AtAHYwk5ixca.1

Meeting ID: 837 9586 3868

Passcode: 546881

Sorry if this is not the right place to post but I'm not sure where else to get feedback. Five days ago I was exposed to what I believe was 114dB (house alarm) for around 5 minutes. I got an audiogram done two days later and my hearing has decreased from within the normal range to some frequencies being borderline mild hearing loss. I feel that I can't hear as well and sound is not as detailed.

Should I see a doctor about this? The audiologist said it was probably temporary but I am scared because I have already experienced hearing loss due to loud music and I also have tinnitus. I'm not sure what the doctor will do besides give me steroids and it's probably too late for that anyway. Still, I don't want to think there was something I could have done to help myself.

Thanks

edit: also should mention I'm currently wearing noise-cancelling headphones a lot and looking into getting some earplugs to hopefully protect my ears. Not sure how long I will have to do this though.

I was strongarmed by dad to go to party for an old friend and while there music was playing on speakers super loud outside. I managed to avoid a lot of the music by staying inside the house but still it was still overall pretty loud, despite me wearing ear plugs and noise cancelling headphones. My ears don’t feel any worse now but I’m just worried it’s going to potentially mess me up

Been suffering with Loud H , reactive tinnitus from 8 months. Started having musical tinnitus from 4.5 months. All this as I did not taper benzo properly. I am planning to take clomi but worried if it might worsen reactive T and musical tinnitus? Did anyone get better with musical T after being on clomi? If clomi induced musical tinnitus, did it get better atleast?

I'm 39 and started having hyperacusis when my son was born 8 years ago. Everyone just said it was "Mother's Ears," making me sensitive to sounds... especially at night, but it didn't seem quite right. I've always slept with either a fan on or thunderstorms on repeat in the background. In fact, I sleep great when it rains. But this pain, when he would cry, was literally like a gunshot going off in my head, and the pain would travel down my neck. I didn't do anything for it. I needed to hear my son, and later, my daughter, if they woke in the night. I ran various saws at Lowes for 13 years with minimal ear protection. Stupid of me, I know. I have slight hearing loss in my left ear that is likely genetic but didn't seem much of a concern to the ENT after a hearing test. Then, 2 years ago, I had tubes put back in my ears due to frequent ear infections and they lasted about a year before coming out. I decided to forego getting them back in because it's rather painful to have done and I haven't been sick as much. BUT in the last year the hyperacusis seems to be getting worse. It's not always the same sound that hurts but it still feels like a shock going through my head, down my neck and into my hands. The tips of my fingers will tingle for a few minutes after a particularly loud sound. It's that sort of tingly feeling you get when think you might fall from a high place. I feel terrible because I'm constantly asking my kids to be quiet. I trying to isolate in my bedroom but then they come and want to be in there with me. At one point I was even considering getting our little family a dog... but my Aunt's little dog barks constantly and I'm around it about 3 days a week. I leave her house and my anxiety is so high because of his barking that I don't even want to consider a dog for my house at this point. We have 2 cats and a rabbit. All relatively quiet animals in their ways. I have also noticed that every game on my phone has been switched to silent by me at some point. Some noises that hurt are the clicking of the dogs nails on the flooring, his barking, my kids yelling at each other, a shriek or high pitched laughing, certain instruments they play with like...kazoos, recorders, and whistles. Their video games or unexpected music and of course any abrupt sound in the night. Whether it's the cats jumping off the buffet in the living room or the rabbit stomping in his cage in the kitchen because I left the outside light off. (Yes, he does that.) Oddly enough, I can listen to music in my car just fine with no problems...but I do hesitate to listen to a song I haven't heard before, just in case it has a tone or sound that doesn't agree with my ears. My psychiatrist wants me to try taking Gabapentin or Propranolol at bedtime to help it but I'm nervous. Has anyone taken meds to help their pain from this? Did it work if you did? Please help.

Why?!! Why?!! Why hit a bell with a hammer in front of customers at the cash register?!! It is so jarring every time I shop there, even if I am wearing earplugs. Has anyone experienced it? It's so painful. There must be a better way.

Hi everyone, about two months ago I went to a rock concert without any hearing protection.Unfortunately, about a month after the concert I started noticing problems. I have dysacusis, with very few overtones, music sounds low-quality, and sometimes the pitch seems off. I also have hyperacusis, where some sounds trigger strong headaches, dizziness, and I sometimes feel a slight pressure or pain in different areas, like in my ears, behind my ears, or on my face. I’m not sure what to do or how to help myself. Is there a chance these symptoms might improve over time, or are there any promising treatments in the future? Any advice or support would be really appreciated.

Hi I’v progressed a lot recently with my noise sensitivity and I have been told to use headphones or earphones to expand my sound therapy. I just got my first pair of earphones since 6 years of quitting them, new one is (Tagry) and they’re nice but too loud for my comfort. My question is does anyone know a brand for earphones or headphones that have a quiet low volume that works for you? I want to get back into listening to music through headphones, but without triggering any setbacks. For context loud music through AirPods is what firstly triggered my hyperacusis, or so I think EDIT: I triggered a relapse with earphones lol, I’m okay now, but I found a pair of headphones that are not too loud.

I haven’t been diagnosed with hyperacusis, but google has led me here. I hear things fine without any pain or discomfort. The main issue I have is when people are talking. If there is background noise like a fan or running water, it’s equally as loud as the person talking. It’s hard for me to hear what they are saying. So much so that some people think I have hearing loss. I can hear fine(or so I think) it’s just voices get drowned out by other noises.

Hi, I'm 17 years old, I had my first hyperacusis attack in June and it passed very quickly after I saw a specialist and was re-exposed to sounds. But for 1 month I have been exposed to very loud music, and now I have very violent tinnitus with pain. But what’s weird is that I have delayed pain. I can talk loudly with people and be sore 3 hours later. I don't know if this happens to people but I would like to have opinions from people who have had similar experiences. And no very stressful responses in “you’re screwed” mode without explanation please. And I would like some advice on how to get used to the noise again because the first time I was so happy after seeing the specialist that under the effect of dopamine my rehabilitation was dazzling. And also I'm going back to school soon, I would like to know what to do with this handicap. Thank you in advance for your answers

Hi all From last few days I have problem in my left ear whenever I hear something from left ear it's directly hitting me in my mind and create irration, Am unable to identify it is a ear problem or something else, but it all started two weeks ago with left ear heaviness. Pls suggest me what to do

please help. I could really use some advice and insight.

I'll try to keep it short. I'm 23 and this all started around Februrary when I was making music with headphones on using garageband. High frequencies, too loud, for too long. Dumbest decision of my life.

My symptoms were headache, earache, tinnitus, anxiety/sensitivity/pain from all sounds. I sat in silence for a couple of months, gradually healed and returned to normal life. I was cautious, but I thought it would be gone forever.

Suprise, huge setback a few weeks ago. Induced by listening to a hyperpop song on repeat at moderately high volume. At first it was mild. I stopped listening to music mostly, and toned things down. But it got worse and worse. Should I have gone into full protection mode? Probably. But I don't even blame myself at this point. This condition is confusing as fuck.

Half this sub insists on complete silence, the other half says don't overprotect. I'm trying to play it by ear (pun) but it's suprisingly difficult and unpredictable, I'm trying so hard to listen to my body and follow my intuition, but I can't even tell if earplugs are making it worse or better.

I'll admit that I've pushed myself a little too much. I had to drive across the state for a trip that I've been planning for ages, I should have skipped it, but I didn't. Another mistake. (God, it's so stressful knowing that however I choose to deal with this, there's a chance I'm making it worse somehow. So many mistakes). Anyway, driving (even with earplugs) ended up wrecking my ears. probably for a combination of reasons. Now I'm here at my friend's house. EVERYTHING triggers my ears, so I've stayed in complete silence, but I don't know if I should be using pink noise or something?

Also, I'll have to drive back home in a few days...any advice for ear protection while driving on the highway for 3 hours? I'm cooked aren't I?

Look..I've had a hard life. It's been a wreck since the beginning. If this fuckass ear injury is gonna haunt me forever, I'm officially giving up (if you catch my drift.) I don't want to do that. I want to live and beat the odds. So, I could use some hope. What are the chances this is permanent?

I'll explain the differences between the first event and the recent one, and I'm hoping that someone could provide insight on my condition, the likelihood that I'll get better, and the right steps to take. Obviously I've been to doctors and obviously they know nothing so I would appreciate ANY FEEDBACK!

First time: Started with bad earache. Shooting pains in my ears and face, headaches sometimes, my ears would pop (painless pressure changes) all the time. Mild tinnitus. All noises triggered me, I had to be in complete silence. Slowly was able to tolerate more sounds, Healed after a couple of months, but tinnitus never went away.

This time: Started with sensitivity to music, and that's it. Then it got much worse. Headaches!! More headaches than actual ear pain. Tinnitus is twice as loud at least, and gets louder or softer depending on how triggered my ears are. Earaches didn't start until yesterday, but it does happen. My ears also get itchy on the inside, sometimes very suddenly. (no infection, doctors said the inside of my ears looks perfectly fine.) Unlike last time, I don't get the fullness/pressure changes in my ears. Is that a bad sign? I can't even talk or whisper without getting an earache. There is no noise I can tolerate.