Hyperacusis is a condition that affects how you perceive sounds. You can experience a heightened sensitivity to particular sounds that are not usually a problem for others. This means loud noises, such as fireworks, and everyday sounds like the telephone can feel uncomfortable and sometimes painful.
Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuronitis are both viral infections, caused by common illnesses such as sore throats, glandular fever, colds or flu. Other causes are less likely, but certain other conditions may have symptoms that encourage labryrinthitis:
Bacterial infection in the middle ear
For sudden attacks of vertigo that are accompanied by deafness in one ear, it is advised that you seek urgent medical attention, as it could be a sign of blocked blood vessels to the brain or there may be additional problems which may need hearing aid support. For less intense but more persistent cases, your local doctor may prescribe anti-sickness medication to help with the vertigo, or a short course of steroid tablets that will encourage the inflammation to reduce quicker. If symptoms do not clear up within a few weeks, you may be referred for vestibular rehabilitation therapy.
For incidences of labyrinthitis that have a less common cause, specific treatment will be prescribed. For instance, a bacterial infection in the middle ear might require antibiotics that would be ineffectual for a viral infection.
If you’re suffering with labyrinthitis, there are a variety of self-help options that might alleviate some of the symptoms. Drinking plenty of water, bed rest and minimising exposure to bright lights, caffeine and loud noises should help ease the dizziness. It is also advised to avoid stressful situations.
Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuronitis are both viral infections, caused by common illnesses such as sore throats, glandular fever, colds or flu. Other causes are less likely, but certain other conditions may have symptoms that encourage labryrinthitis:
Bacterial infection in the middle ear
For sudden attacks of vertigo that are accompanied by deafness in one ear, it is advised that you seek urgent medical attention, as it could be a sign of blocked blood vessels to the brain or there may be additional problems which may need hearing aid support. For less intense but more persistent cases, your local doctor may prescribe anti-sickness medication to help with the vertigo, or a short course of steroid tablets that will encourage the inflammation to reduce quicker. If symptoms do not clear up within a few weeks, you may be referred for vestibular rehabilitation therapy.
For incidences of labyrinthitis that have a less common cause, specific treatment will be prescribed. For instance, a bacterial infection in the middle ear might require antibiotics that would be ineffectual for a viral infection.
If you’re suffering with labyrinthitis, there are a variety of self-help options that might alleviate some of the symptoms. Drinking plenty of water, bed rest and minimising exposure to bright lights, caffeine and loud noises should help ease the dizziness. It is also advised to avoid stressful situations.
The causes of hypacusis can differ from person to person. It may occur as a result of an existing medical condition, or you may experience it through damage to your hearing, especially from long term noise exposure,or as a condition resulting from post-traumatic stress disorder. On the other hand, some may appear to experience it for no apparent reason. While the specific causes of the condition are somewhat debatable, there are ways to help alleviate the problem.
If you believe you are suffering with hyperacusis, you will feel a sudden discomfort when hearing particular sounds. It can sometimes feel very painful, and in some cases seem as though all sounds are just too loud.
It can sometimes be coupled with phonophobia, a fear of noise. This is often sparked by the pain sounds can cause, as you begin to associate noise with pain. The condition can also be linked to anxiety and depression, and can become an isolating problem. Hyperacusis can often be experienced if you suffer from tinnitus aswell.
As it quite often appears as a result of another medical condition, investigating this may be the first step in treatment and is something your GP can start. Once this has been ruled out, you will often undergo sound therapy to approach the problem in a similar way to how tinnitus can be treated. Sound therapy is used to help you become less and less affected by the noises you are sensitive to.
You may find cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help, particularly if you may suffer from anxiety or depression. Hyperacusis can make these problems worse, or even cause them. CBT helps to address the emotions that come with it, and change them in order to reduce feelings of anxiety.
People can have hearing loss and sound sensitivity, and hearing aids can be tweaked to allow for amplification without excessive amplification.
Whilst the exact cause of hyperacusis is unknown, you may experience this condition due to damage to your hearing from excessive noise exposure. To prevent this, and other hearing concerns such as hearing loss and tinnitus, there are several steps you can take to ensure you protect your hearing. These include:
