CHAPTER
THIRTEEN
Hyperacusis
David M.
Baguley BSc, MSc, MBA, PhD
One problem with understanding
hyperacusis is that many different words
are used, and this can be confusing for
both patients and professionals. We'll
use the word hyperacusis to mean
the experience of moderately intense sounds,
being perceived as very loud and annoying.
Sometimes the word phonophobia is used
when people develop a fear of sound. Although
numerous other terms have been used, I
believe that overall, "hyperacusis"
is the best word to describe these symptoms.
In mild hyperacusis,
moderately intense sounds (such as dishes
banging together and the knife and fork
clanging on the plate) are heard as loud.
This can lead to stress, but most aspects
of life can continue. In moderate cases
you perceive many everyday sounds as very
loud and annoying. You might even
avoid some situations where you know there
will be loud sounds, such as football
games or concerts. You can become
defensive and fearful, and might even
think that the moderately intense sounds
will harm you. At this point, many social
activities are avoided, and family life
can become a struggle.
In
severe cases there is a very significant
impact upon the individual and their family.
Some people with hyperacusis constantly
wear earplugs. Others notice this odd
behavior. Not surprisingly the possibility
of depression and chronic anxiety is significant,
and these symptoms can add further to
the hyperacusis. Here's an excerpt from
the story of a lady with severe hyperacusis,
who has now recovered:
| “My partner and I were concerned
about my apparent overreaction to
moderately-intense noise. I was
very anxious, wondering what was wrong
with me, and wondering if it might
be a brain tumor. Eventually,
I couldn’t bear to be in the
kitchen (couldn’t tolerate the
noise of the kettle, boiler, microwave,
and refrigerator), or use the vacuum
cleaner, listen to music, TV, or play
the piano. At its worst, I couldn’t
bear the noise of the hair dryer or
even the sound of cutlery on the plates.
Equally, I couldn’t bear to
be outside and sounds such as birds
chirping, traffic (either close to
or in the distance). Airplanes
flying overhead were just so loud. Once
I had a panic attack while listening
to a very loud lawn mower. When we
finally saw the audiologist, he allayed
our fears by giving it a name (hyperacusis)
and telling us that it was non-life
threatening. However, hyperacusis
took away many aspects of life because
it's so limiting. I was unable
to continue in my job as well as in
my voluntary work and most of my social
activities. I was even unable
to travel either by car, bus, train
or plane. Unable to go anywhere other
than for quiet walks round the village.
Unable to visit family or friends.
Unable to work. It was difficult to
talk to anyone on the phone, and I
couldn’t cook meals in the kitchen.
It was like being a prisoner in my
own home. Thankfully, my husband
was able to arrange to work from home
where he could do the cooking, as
well as go with me wherever I went
in case I had a panic attack.” |
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