Hyperacusis

A hearing condition in which everyday sounds are perceived as uncomfortably or painfully loud, even at volume levels that are tolerable for most people. Hyperacusis involves a reduced tolerance for the overall volume of sound rather than sensitivity to specific sound types (which characterises misophonia). It can result from hearing damage, neurological conditions, or as a co-occurring condition with autism, TBI, or Lyme disease. Management typically involves sound therapy, noise-cancelling devices, and gradual desensitisation, and hyperacusis is an important consideration for designing accessible acoustic environments.