What is Hyperacusis? (High-per-ah-koosis)

It is a super sensitivity to sound of all types, even the normal sounds you hear every day. They are perceived as being louder than they are, even excessively loud, unbearable, often painful and many times frightening. The sound of running water, people talking and often even one’s own voice can be difficult to endure. People can also experience phonophobia, a fear of certain sounds as well as misophonia, strong dislike of sound. Hyperacusis often begins with fear and emotions greatly influence how one focuses on it. This can result in subconsciously training the brain to change these sounds into sounds that the person cannot tolerate.

Hyperacusis can affect all ages and it can be present with or without hearing loss. It can develop suddenly and be triggered by exposure to excessive noise, head injury, side effects of surgery or drugs, loud rock music, a gunshot or firecracker exposure. Sixty percent of those with hyperacusis can also experience tinnitus. Little is known about hyperacusis and many physicians are not familiar with it.

The most difficult challenge is that family and friends are often not sympathetic and don’t understand how devastating it is to the person experiencing it. It can often result in severe depression as well as a total feeling of isolation.

There are a variety of treatment options and products, such as Sound Therapy, that can assist in retraining the perception to these sounds. They allow the person to more readily cope and function. Dr. Segal can assist individuals experiencing these sensations in evaluation and implementing a treatment plan.

New!
Dr. Segal was recently interviewed for a segment on a musical treatment for tinnitus, on the public radio show, Sound Medicine. You can read the transcript and listen to the show here.

Tinnitus
The word tinnitus comes from the Latin word tinire which means to ring, sound, clang or jangle. It can be pronounced TINnitus or tinNITEus but TINitus is preferred. Dennis McFadden, in Dorland’s Illustrated Medical Dictionary 26th ed., states that tinnitus is defined as a conscious experience of sound that originates in the head of the owner. This implies that it can be present without an external source. In many cases, the individual is left with a feeling of hopelessness. The condition is generally classified as objective or subjective.

Subjective Tinnitus
It is generally heard only by the person experiencing it and is by far the most common form, occurring in 95 percent of all cases. It can be associated with other conditions, some non-hearing related, such as:

• Noise trauma — exposure to excessive loud noises/related hearing loss
• Wax in the ears
• Perforation or hole in the eardrum
• Fluid in the middle ear
• Ear trauma — otosclerosis
• Meniere’s disease — degenerative changes in the cochlea
• Closed head injury
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Drug toxicity
• Vasculitis
• Acute or chronic infection
• Hypotension, hypothryroidism, hyperthyroidism
• Diabetes
• Zinc/Magnesium or other mineral deficiencies
• Functional stress/emotional states
• Allergies
• Acoustic neuroma/tumor or growth in the hearing system
• Tempomandibular Joint involvement or TMJ.
• Misalignment of any structure related to the spine

Objective Tinnitus

• Present in fewer than 5 percent of tinnitus cases
• Usually a cause can be determined and treated medically
• It is usually associated with vascular (blood flow related) or muscular disorders
• It can often can be pulsating and synchronous with the person’s heartbeat. It can also be mechanically related, i.e. eustachian tube dysfunction, spasm in one of the muscles in the middle ear.

What are my alternatives once I have seen a physician and there is nothing medically that can be done?

Tinnitus evaluation

A Tinnitus Evaluation by an audiologist that specializes in tinnitus is recommended. The audiologist will explain the hearing evaluation and then assess the areas of the person’s life that are most affected by the condition. This involves the use of case history information as well as questionnaires to look at the areas of distress, disability or handicap. The person’s coping strategies are evaluated to assist in developing a management approach which is tailored to each individual’s needs.

Dr. Segal is offering a new product for Tinnitus relief, The Inhibitor®. The Inhibitor® is a hand-held device that emits a 60-second ultrasonic signal that provides temporary relief from Tinnitus. 70-75% of patients treated with the device have noticed either a total or partial reduction in the loudness of their Tinnitus. The benefit of the relief ranges from minutes to hours to days, and in some cases weeks! Please contact Dr. Segal for more information about this device.

Interesting Fact about Tinnitus
A study from Heller and Bergman in1953 found that 94 percent of subjects with normal hearing that denied tinnitus initially reported it when placed in a sound proof room and asked to listen for it.

Read about  the latest study on the Neuromonics Tinnnitus Treatment.

For further information regarding tinnitus and an audiologist in your area that specializes in tinnitus, please visit The American Tinnitus Association Web site or 1-800-634-8978.

Testimonials

To read testimonials from patients and fellow practitioners, visit the Testimonials page.

Triumph Over Tinnitus
A how-to guide of tools and techniques including sound therapy, retraining and holistic medicine. An informative guide for the practitioner, sufferer and their family and friends. Foreward written by Dr. Segal. Price: $24.95 plus tax and shipping

Listen to "Triumph over Tinnitus" author Rafaele Joudry being interviewed on Radio 2GB about tinnitus.