What Is It?

Hyperacusis and misophonia are sound sensitivity disorders. Sound sensitivity refers to an individual’s ability to cope with sounds that, to them, may be perceived as painful or deeply unpleasant. Everybody has a threshold for what loudness levels are uncomfortable, and everyone has sounds that they do not like to hear. However, not everybody has reflexive emotional reactions that impact how they are able to live day-to-day in response to these sounds.

What’s the Difference Between Hyperacusis and Misophonia?

Hyperacusis is sensitivity to sounds that are loud but tolerable to typical listeners. For example, fire drills at school are loud, but usually students can tolerate the sound and calmly follow instructions and leave the building. For a child with hyperacusis, a fire drill might cause a panic attack, anxiety, angry outbursts, or pain.

Misophonia is sensitivity to sounds that are normally considered quiet to typical listeners and may not even be processed. For example, chewing is considered a quiet sound, and most people do not notice the sound, or if they do it will likely be tolerable. For a child with misophonia, the sound of chewing might cause a reflexive anger reaction that cannot easily be calmed. It typically involves a feeling in their body as well as an emotional response.

Whom Does It Affect?

True hyperacusis and/or misophonia is rare, with some estimates indicating a prevalence of 1 in 50,000 individuals. However, these sound sensitivity disorders can be much more prevalent in children with autism, sensory processing disorder, or auditory processing disorders.

Symptoms of Sound Sensitivity

As mentioned, everyone experiences sound sensitivities; however, for some these experiences can cause such reactions as to seek audiologic intervention. These experiences include:

  • Feelings of irrational anger in response to sounds
    • Angry outbursts
      • Shouting
      • Aggression
      • Physical discomfort
    • Feelings of irrational fear
      • Panic attacks
      • Plugging ears even when the sound is removed
      • Attempts at escape
      • Difficult to calm and refocus
Are Sound Sensitivity Disorders Part of Something Bigger?

As mentioned, sound sensitivities can be highly prevalent in children with autism, sensory processing disorder, or auditory processing disorder. However, children with emotional trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder, can experience these symptoms as well. Sound sensitivity disorders can also be a result of head injuries or some medications.

Who Can Diagnose Sound Sensitivity Disorders?

Sound sensitivity disorders do not require a formal diagnosis to confirm their existence; however, understanding the qualities of the hyperacusis and/or misophonia can be helpful for intervention. Audiologists are the preferred healthcare provider to identify the traits of the sound sensitivities and determine the social and emotional impacts. However, few audiologists specialize in the assessment and treatment for sound sensitivities, so be picky about whom you see!

Who Can Treat Sound Sensitivity Disorders?

An audiologist who has experience and specialized education to provide auditory training can do a lot to help improve how you and/or your child understands and copes with triggering sounds. This can look like emotional therapy to help reframe how a sufferer thinks of his/her sound sensitivity and endure the experience more objectively while focusing on goals and values by which they want to live. Treating sound sensitivity disorders includes sound therapy, which may involve varying levels of technology, including hearing aid technology to help retrain the brain to tolerate normally intolerable sounds.

We now have a virtual coaching program using the same techniques used in-person available to anyone with an internet connection.  If you are interest in learning more, visit our website at Sound Immunity. 

Are you concerned that your child has a sound sensitivity disorder? Call today to schedule a free virtual consultation (801) 996-7510.