5 Ways to Adapt to and Make the Most of Your Hearing Aids
Hearing aids can completely transform your life. However, they can also take some getting used to. If you have new hearing aids, these simple steps can set you up for success from Day One.
7 Causes of Hyperacusis and the Best Treatment Options
Hyperacusis is a condition in which you develop a sensitivity to certain everyday sounds. When you have hyperacusis, sounds that don’t bother other people seem extra loud or annoying to you. For example, you may feel bothered by the sounds of a dripping faucet, automobile traffic, or rustling paper.
People with hyperacusis may or may not have other hearing disorders, such as hearing loss. However, it’s often associated with tinnitus, a condition that causes ringing, buzzing, or other sounds in your ears.
If you have hyperacusis, you may wonder what caused it. To help you understand some of the most common causes of hyperacusis, Dr. Kevin Sharim of Sharp Hearing Care Professionals shares information on seven common causes of hyperacusis, as well as the treatment options available for managing this condition.
1. Trauma to your head or ear
Trauma can cause damage to nerves, joints, and muscles. One such source of trauma is having a car’s airbag go off in your face.
2. Facial surgery
Various types of facial surgery could potentially affect the intricate nerve network in your face, head, or ears.
3. Ear infection
Ear infections – especially those that occur deep in your ear – can impact ear function and the delicate communication that goes on between your ear and brain.
4. Exposure to loud noises
Noise can affect your hearing in various ways. One-time or chronic exposure can lead to hearing loss and could increase your risk of developing hyperacusis.
5. TMJ
Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders (TMJ) are a group of conditions that can affect your jaw joint and muscles. Some types of TMJ can cause hyperacusis and other hearing-related conditions
6. Bell’s palsy
Bell’s palsy is a type of temporary nerve weakness that can occur in your face. Some people who experience Bell’s palsy develop hyperacusis.
7. Health conditions
Hyperacusis is sometimes associated with various health conditions. These include chronic fatigue syndrome, Lyme disease, Meniere’s disease, Williams syndrome, epilepsy, migraines, Tay-Sachs disease, depression, and others. In addition, certain medications may contribute to hyperacusis and tinnitus.
Treating hyperacusis
To diagnose hyperacusis, Dr. Sharim and his team of hearing care professionals conduct a physical exam and comprehensive audiology consultation, including a hearing evaluation. During your exam, your provider looks for evidence of any kind of hearing loss or other hearing problems, including hyperacusis.
If you do have hyperacusis, your provider creates a customized treatment plan that may include one or more of the following:
- A customized earmold that can filter out environmental sounds
- A sound generator, which emits low-level sounds that help block out annoying sounds
- Sound therapy, which helps train your brain and nerves to be less sensitive to irritating sounds
If everyday sounds are bothering you, we can help. To make an appointment for a hearing evaluation, contact one of our offices in Oxnard, Santa Barbara, West Hills, or Santa Monica, California.
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