Many people are familiar with tinnitus, a condition affecting more than 50 million people in the United States, causing a ringing or buzzing in the ears that cannot be heard from the outside. Hyperacusis is a lesser-known condition affecting between 8% and 15.2% of adults, causing hypersensitivity to sounds others don’t notice or find commonplace.
At first glance, tinnitus and hyperacusis are opposites. Tinnitus causes internal ringing, while hyperacusis causes sensitivity to external noise. However, they often co-occur. One 2020 study found that nearly half of tinnitus patients report some degree of hyperacusis, while nearly all hyperacusis patients experience tinnitus.
One theory as to why the two conditions co-occur has to do with their source. Hearing loss is a common source of both conditions. When the auditory center of the brain lacks input, it has been found to generate its own noise in the form of hyperacusis, tinnitus or both.
What is the impact of tinnitus and hyperacusis?
Hyperacusis and tinnitus can take an emotional and physical toll on a patient. A patient may see the impact of either condition on their quality of sleep, relationships, concentration and more. Accompanied by tinnitus or hyperacusis, something as small as ordering their favorite latte at Gratitude Coffee Bar can feel frustrating or impossible.
How Can You Manage Your Symptoms?
Managing the symptoms of hyperacusis and tinnitus is essential for maintaining a good quality of life. A few ways you can manage tinnitus symptoms include:
- Wear hearing aids. Hearing aids manage tinnitus symptoms by amplifying external noises or playing white noise to cover the internal ringing. Because your brain cannot focus on more than one sound at once, the impact of tinnitus will be lessened.
- Sound machines. Like hearing aids, sound machines mask internal ringing by playing external white, pink, brown or other noises. Sound machines are best used when falling asleep or during other times when hearing aids should not be worn.
A few ways you can manage hyperacusis symptoms include:
- Noise-canceling headphones. Noise-canceling headphones are an excellent option for managing hyperacusis, especially in public. The headphones will block out the noises you find bothersome or stressful.
- Therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be effective at reordering your brain’s response to the amplified noises of hyperacusis. Rather than reacting to hyperacusis with frustration or anger, effective CBT will help you feel more relaxed.
To discuss hearing aids or other symptom management options, contact Valley Audiology today to make an appointment with one of our specialists.
