Hyperacusis/HY-per-ah-KOO-sis/

Hyperacusis is a reduced tolerance to sounds at levels that wouldn't bother most people. It's not about having better hearing or being able to hear quieter sounds - it's about everyday sounds causing discomfort, pain, or distress at normal volumes. This sensory processing difference affects how the nervous system interprets and responds to auditory input.

The experience varies but can include:

• Physical sensations: Ear pain, headaches, or feeling sounds physically in the body
• Emotional responses: Anxiety, panic, anger, or overwhelm triggered by sounds
• Startle responses: Extreme reactions to sudden noises
• Cumulative effects: Sound tolerance decreasing throughout the day
• Selective sensitivity: Particular frequencies or types of sounds being especially difficult

Common trigger sounds include:

• High-pitched sounds (cutlery, children's voices, electronic beeps)
• Sudden sounds (doors slamming, dogs barking, alarms)
• Continuous sounds (air conditioners, fluorescent lights, traffic)
• Complex sound environments (restaurants, shops, classrooms)
• Specific textures of sound regardless of volume

Hyperacusis differs from recruitment (a hearing loss phenomenon) and phonophobia (fear of sound). It's also distinct from, though often co-occurs with, misophonia (emotional reactions to specific sounds) and tinnitus (ringing in ears).

The neurodivergent community emphasizes hyperacusis as a legitimate access need requiring accommodation, not oversensitivity to overcome. Common experiences include being told you're "too sensitive," exhaustion from managing sound exposure constantly, and relief from discovering hyperacusis is neurological.

Research suggests hyperacusis involves differences in central nervous system sound processing, with heightened activation in auditory and emotional areas, and reduced filtering of irrelevant sounds. It's more common in autistic people, those with ADHD, anxiety conditions, and chronic pain. Hyperacusis can manifest as loudness (sounds perceived as louder), pain (physical discomfort), fear (anxiety responses), or annoyance (irritation disproportionate to volume).

Language is evolving toward neurodiversity framing: "sound sensitivity" rather than "oversensitivity," "sensory differences" rather than "sensory issues," "access needs" rather than "special requirements." Many resist narratives of needing to be "fixed" and instead embrace hyperacusis as part of their sensory profile.

Everyday Life Examples

At Work: Open office fluorescent lights hum painfully. You wear loop earplugs (affordable, discreet) during focus time and request a quieter desk near the wall. Colleagues initially don't understand why "normal office noise" affects you, but written documentation of your access needs helps secure accommodations.

At School: Cafeteria is overwhelming chaos - scraping chairs, clattering trays, hundreds of voices. You eat lunch in the library or outside when possible. Teachers who understand hyperacusis provide written instructions when the classroom is noisy.

Social Life: Friends suggest a restaurant, but you know from experience it'll be too loud to participate comfortably. You propose a quieter cafe during off-peak hours, or invite them over instead. Real friends adapt; some relationships fade when people won't accommodate your needs.

Practical Strategies

Free/Low-Cost Options:

• Carry affordable ear protection (foam earplugs, loops, or DIY fabric ear defenders)
• Plan routes and timing to avoid sound triggers (early morning shopping, quiet routes)
• Create quiet zones at home using blankets, curtains, or rearranged furniture
• Use free apps to check venue noise levels before visiting
• Build rest periods into your schedule for recovery

If Possible:

• Invest in quality noise-cancelling headphones (worth saving for if you can)
• Request formal accommodations at work/school (quiet workspace, written communication options)
• Consider occupational therapy for personalized sensory strategies
• Explore whether managing anxiety or stress helps your hyperacusis

Why This Works: Your nervous system processes sound differently - it's not about willpower. Reducing sound exposure prevents overwhelm and burnout. Recovery time lets your system reset.

Quick Tips

• Today: Lower volumes proactively when someone with hyperacusis is present
• This Week: Offer written communication in noisy environments
• This Month: Create quiet zones in shared spaces at home/work

Do / Don't

Do's

• Respect hyperacusis as real neurological difference
• Provide accommodations without requiring justification
• Check in about sound levels and comfort
• Warn about sudden noises when possible

Don'ts

• Test someone's sensitivity or expose them to prove a point
• Take sound sensitivity responses personally
• Assume what works for one person works for all

For Families and Caregivers

Support starts with believing hyperacusis is real. When your child/partner says sounds hurt, they do - their nervous system processes differently. Lower household noise (turn off background TV, close doors gently, use soft voices). Respect ear protection as a necessary tool, not rudeness. Plan outings considering sound levels and recovery time. Advocate for accommodations at school/work. Most importantly: don't force exposure to "toughen them up" - this causes trauma and worsens hyperacusis.

For Schools and Workplaces

Accommodations for hyperacusis are accessibility requirements, not special treatment. Provide quiet workspaces away from noise sources (HVAC, printers, high-traffic areas). Allow ear protection use without penalty. Offer written instructions in noisy environments. Schedule important conversations in quiet settings. Permit flexible work arrangements (remote work, adjusted hours to avoid peak noise). Warning before fire drills or loud events helps significantly. Document accommodations formally to ensure consistency.

Intersectionality & Variation

Hyperacusis intersects with other experiences: autistic people may have additional sensory sensitivities; ADHD can make filtering sounds harder; anxiety amplifies responses; chronic pain conditions often co-occur. Migraine sufferers frequently experience hyperacusis during episodes. Trauma history affects which sounds trigger distress. Cultural background influences which sounds feel "normal" or distressing. Economic factors determine access to accommodations - not everyone can afford noise-cancelling headphones or quiet housing. Gender affects how hyperacusis is perceived and accommodated, with women and nonbinary people often dismissed as "dramatic."

Related Terms

• Misophonia: Emotional reactions to specific trigger sounds
• Auditory Processing Disorder: Difficulty processing auditory information
• Sensory Overload: Overwhelming input from multiple senses
• Sensory Processing Disorder: Broader sensory differences