Hyperacusis

Hyperacusis is abnormal sensitivity to everyday sound levels or noises, often there is sensitivity to high pitched sounds. The disorder is often chronic and usually accompanied by tinnitus or ringing sound in the ears in 40% of the people. This condition can occur with normal hearing or with those with hearing loss. Patient's lives get affected adversely as they are not able to enjoy their normal activities. Ages of individuals who suffer from hyperacusis apparently range from the very young to the very old. Hyperacusis on its own affects only 1 in 50,000 people, but is present in 1 in 1,000 people who have tinnitus.