Sometimes we cannot escape noise. You get in from work, school, and nursery and the kids are not using their indoor voices, the television is on, the dog is barking, and your partner is trying to talk to you.
Parentlist founder Chloe’s new iWatch even told her that her environment was too loud – it was a meltdown situation at bedtime. We have all been there. But does all that noise create a bubbling of rage and anxiety within you? Do you want to punch your other half for breathing too loudly?
If reading this is triggering you to cover your ears and scream, you may be suffering from a noise sensitivity condition.
We spoke to Dr Gladys Sanda, Au. D, MSc, BSc (Hons) Clinical Audiologist - Tinnitus & Hyperacusis Specialist and Mr Joseph Manjaly MBChB BSc DO-HNS FRCS (ORL-HNS), Consultant Otologist, Auditory Implant & ENT Surgeon, who are experts in this area to understand what, how, why, and what can we do to help you if you are suffering.
What is noise sensitivity?
The most common types of noise sensitivity are hyperacusis, misophonia & phonophobia. These all feature an abnormally increased sensitivity to everyday sounds. People with hyperacusis experience discomfort or pain in response to sounds that others would find tolerable. It can occur in response to sounds of varying intensities, including soft or moderate sounds, and can affect one or both ears.
Hyperacusis is often confused with misophonia, which is a condition characterised by a strong emotional and physiological response to certain sounds, which can cause significant distress or even rage. These sounds are often related to human actions, such as eating, breathing, or the rustling of crisp packets. Unlike hyperacusis, misophonia does not feature an actual physical sensitivity to sound, but rather an emotional and psychological response to specific trigger sounds.
Phonophobia refers to an anticipatory fear of loud sounds. This can induce fear and avoidance of devices that emit loud sounds such as fire alarms, whistles, and speakers.
What causes noise sensitivity?
Hyperacusis can result from damage to the inner ear due to factors such as ageing, noise exposure, ear infections, head injuries, and ear surgeries. However, more commonly the condition arises from changes in the way the brain processes sound information.
In individuals with hyperacusis, the brain amplifies its response to sound, causing an overreaction even to normal sounds. This heightened reaction occurs due to changes in the central auditory system, which can in turn be related to a few factors including poor sleep, stress and any other condition that affects overall health. Interestingly, hyperacusis has also been observed to be very common in people with autism, likely due to changes in the way the brain processes sensory information.
What symptoms might someone with sensitivity to noise experience?
Individuals with hyperacusis may experience pain or severe discomfort in their ears when exposed to certain sounds. Moreover, they may find that loud sounds exacerbate their symptoms for a period of time.
Tinnitus, a ringing, buzzing, or other sound perceived in the ears or head, is reported by more than 80% of people with hyperacusis. Exposure to uncomfortable sounds may also worsen tinnitus symptoms temporarily.
In addition to these symptoms, people with hyperacusis may feel a sensation of fullness in their ears.
Is it more common in women or men?
There is a belief that hyperacusis occurs more frequently in women than in men. However, the reasons for this gender difference are not fully understood and further research is needed to investigate this phenomenon.
A study in 2013 in Sweden examined 140 men & 208 women and found that women with high levels of emotional exhaustion became more sensitive to sound after an acute stress task.
How common is it?
Various research studies report slightly different prevalence rates depending on the criteria used to define and diagnose hyperacusis, however, it is generally accepted that less than 10% of the population have hyperacusis.
What can you do to help with symptoms of noise sensitivity?
There are various strategies that can be employed to help individuals with hyperacusis:
Speak with an ENT specialist to investigate any potential causes/exacerbating factors.
Seek assistance from a hyperacusis specialist/hearing therapist who can provide hyperacusis retraining therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy.
Use ear plugs appropriately in loud environments - hyperacusis specialists can teach you how to determine what is loud and how to use ear plugs effectively.
Gradually reintroduce oneself to more sound through sound desensitisation techniques.
It is important to note that overusing ear plugs or avoiding sounds may worsen hyperacusis by increasing the sensitivity of the auditory system due to the lack of sound input.
It is worth thinking about your daily cognitive reserve and how to preserve it. Your brain spends all day processing all your senses – vision, hearing, smell, taste & touch. When one of those senses is working at half-capacity, for example, if you have a hearing loss or visual impairment, then your central processing must work twice as hard to fill in the gaps, whilst still filtering what’s important to you.
Is there a point when you should seek medical advice?
If noise sensitivity is interfering with your daily life, whether socially or professionally, seeking help is recommended. It may seem logical to use earplugs and avoid the triggering sounds, but this can ultimately exacerbate the condition. It is advisable to consult with a specialist to identify any underlying causes and determine the appropriate treatment to alleviate sensitivity in the auditory system.
If you have any other ear-related symptoms such as hearing loss, pain, ear discharge, tinnitus, or dizziness then you seek a medical opinion to establish if further investigation is required. This is particularly pertinent if your symptoms are one-sided.
Sudden hearing loss is an emergency that has a time-critical window for assessment and delivery of steroid rescue treatment if the inner ear is involved. Many people still miss the boat for treatment, through lack of awareness or putting it down to a cold or wax, which sometimes can be quite devastating. So, if you have any hearing loss go to your A&E.
We talk a lot about the mental load, so there is no wonder that parents are often triggered by noise, especially after a long day and stressful day. As the experts say, earplugs can help but it is probably best to seek advice on how to deal with any sensitivity you are having.
Written and researched by Victoria Cobley
Victoria is a Freelance journalist and content creator with two children aged 5 and 2.
Dr Gladys Sanda, Au.D, MSc, BSc (Hons)
Clinical Audiologist - Tinnitus & Hyperacusis Specialist
Email: hello@drgladys.co.uk
Website: www.drgladys.co.uk
Mr Joseph Manjaly MBChB BSc DO-HNS FRCS (ORL-HNS)
Consultant Otologist, Auditory Implant & ENT Surgeon
Website: www.earspecialistclinic.co.uk
Instagram: @earsurgeonjoe
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