Noise sensitivity is a high sensitivity to everyday sounds that do not cause problems for healthy people. It is often the result of trauma, stress or other injury.
What is noise sensitivity?
Noise sensitivity (hyperacusis) is a disorder involving hypersensitivity to certain frequency ranges of environmental sounds. A person who suffers from noise sensitivity finds everyday sounds difficult to tolerate and very loud, which other people have no problem with. Noise sensitivity can be the product of an injury to the hearing organ or the inner ear. Other disorders in the nerve pathways between the ear and brain may also be considered as a cause. A disorder of the nervous system or brain may also be hypothesized. In this case, noise sensitivity would be a purely neurological problem and affected by the brain‘s reception and processing. Serious forms of noise sensitivity are very rare, but weaker forms affect many people. They are not infrequently the result of prolonged illness, stress, or related traumas such as tinnitus.
Causes
The most common cause of noise sensitivity is confrontation with extremely high decibel levels. For some people, noise sensitivity starts quite suddenly, for example, after firing a gun, an accident (car crash with airbag), very loud noises, taking drugs that stimulate sensitivity, Lyme disease, Meniere’s disease, craniomandibular dysfunction, head injury, or surgery. Other people are born with noise sensitivity, develop arcuate dehiscence, have a prolonged history of ear infections, or come from a family in which hearing problems are common. Noise sensitivity is an exceedingly common side effect of long-term abuse of phencyclidine.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
Increased noise sensitivity – also called hyperacusis – can manifest as aggression, irritability, or stressed nerves. Increased sensitivity to everyday sounds occurs for a variety of reasons. These can usually be tuned out. In acute noise sensitivity, however, the sounds are so prominent that the affected person feels overwhelmed by them. The fact that people are normally able to partially block out the usual noise level shows that noise sensitivity is a subjective sensation. Increased noise sensitivity can mean the loss of the normally functioning filtering possibilities in the brain. Increased noise sensitivity can also result from an increased noise level. The symptomology is the same for both causes. There is a disturbing perception of noise. As a result of this heightened perception, affected individuals are overstimulated, angry, aggressive, or stressed. The condition may be temporary or persistent. If the symptoms of noise sensitivity persist, the affected person should seek medical advice. Persistent noise sensitivity may make the sufferer more jumpy. Headaches or earaches may occur. Tinnitus may develop in one or both ears. In blatant cases, noise-induced hearing loss may develop. This is the case, for example, after frequent exposure to excessively loud music or a blast trauma. When registering symptoms of increased noise sensitivity, sufferers should eliminate the causes if possible.
Diagnosis and course
Diagnosis of noise sensitivity refers to the manifestations of symptoms and signs. Affected individuals suddenly become disturbed by sounds that were previously unproblematic or that do not bother other people. They may complain of pain or other irritation. Affected people may have an irritated and red eardrum, or an eardrum that is loose or very taut. An ear doctor will probably test level limits for pain and discomfort on both sides. This procedure starts with very soft sounds that gradually increase and get louder. When the tolerance threshold falls below 90 dB for sounds and 95 dB for voices, acute noise sensitivity is usually assumed. However, sensitivity is highly individual; no objective test for noise sensitivity exists.These tests should be repeated regularly, as the causes and manifestations of sensitivity can vary. Psychological factors such as stress, anxiety and excitement often play an important role here.
Complications
Noise sensitivity can cause several complications. First, high sensitivity to noise can cause stress. Immediately, sleep disturbances and viral illnesses may result. In the long term, stress-related diseases such as gastrointestinal problems, cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias, and migraines and tension headaches may develop. In addition, existing diseases such as diabetes or neurodermatitis can intensify, leading to further complications. Mental illnesses such as burnout, anxiety disorders and depression can also develop. Likewise, inner restlessness and nervousness increase. Existing conditions such as ADD and ADHD can become more prevalent, bringing further complications. In the long term, pronounced noise sensitivity represents a considerable burden for those affected, which can cause further physical and psychological problems. Complications can also arise in the treatment of noise sensitivity. For example, sleeping pills and stress-reducing medications can cause side effects that exacerbate existing symptoms in the long term. As a result of avoidance strategies, social exclusion can also occur, which usually worsens well-being. Professionally supported treatment is therefore essential in the case of noise sensitivity.
When should you see a doctor?
Noise sensitivity is often harmless and goes away on its own after some time. If the hypersensitivity persists for more than a few weeks or even becomes stronger in the course of time, the affected person must consult a medical professional. In particular, if the noise sensitivity leads to headaches, irritability or a general feeling of malaise, a visit to the doctor is indicated. If the complaints occur immediately after a concert or another situation in which the persons involved were exposed to high noise levels, the doctor’s office or hospital must be visited on the same day. As a general rule, people with an increased sensitivity of hearing must go to the doctor as soon as mental or physical complaints develop as a result. Individuals who have had a long history of repeated ear infections are best to speak with the appropriate physician if they show signs of noise sensitivity. In addition to the primary care physician, an ear specialist may be consulted. Accompanying behavioral therapy and psychotherapy are useful, always depending on the cause, type and severity of the complaints.
Treatment and therapy
Although to date there is no invasive method to surgically correct noise sensitivity, a number of methods exist that can help sufferers live with their disorder and slowly reduce their sensitivity to certain sounds. In most cases, these methods involve acoustic therapy or targeted retraining of the sensation. These therapies aim to re-accustom the affected person to environmental sounds by confronting them with certain sounds and to influence their psychological and physical response to them. Here, supervised behavioral therapy aims to influence the patient’s attitude and approach to the sounds. Acoustic therapy, on the other hand, reduces sensitivity in slow steps. To carry out this treatment, special devices exist that produce continuous sounds. The theory here is that regular stimulation with a certain sound in a safe environment prepares the patient to withstand these sounds in everyday life. This therapy achieves good results, but requires three months to two years to take effect.
Outlook and prognosis
Noise sensitivity usually does not result in major limitations for those affected. Depending on the severity of the condition, it may already be enough to wear earplugs or make structural changes to the home. The most important measure is to avoid loud and disturbing noises. If this is done sufficiently, the prognosis is relatively good. Those affected can pursue their occupation without major restrictions and also continue to pursue hobbies.In the case of a sudden onset of noise sensitivity, such as may result from a blast trauma, great stress often results that must be treated with medication. Life expectancy is not reduced by noise sensitivity. Sufferers should take care to limit loud noises as much as possible. If the condition is based on a mental illness, this must first be treated. As a result, noise sensitivity often improves. In the case of persistent complaints that significantly impair well-being, major changes in everyday life may be necessary. The affected person may have to change jobs or even the place of residence to escape the constant noise exposure. In this case, noise sensitivity represents a major burden that significantly reduces the quality of life.
Prevention
Many people describe the onset of noise sensitivity as the result of trauma. Consequently, one should protect oneself from confrontation with high decibel levels. This applies, for example, when attending a concert or rehearsing while playing loud music. Otherwise, early diagnosis and treatment of noise sensitivity applies so that the sensitivity does not increase.
Aftercare
Noise sensitivity that has not healed can lead to various complaints and complications in affected individuals that may require ongoing follow-up care. Although these complaints do not reduce life expectancy, they can have a very negative impact on the patient’s quality of life and lead to significant limitations in everyday life. Therefore, an examination by a physician should take place at the first signs and symptoms. Those affected are highly irritable due to their sensitivity to noise and not infrequently suffer from severe depression or other psychological upsets. Sensitive conversations with friends and family help to alleviate the mental suffering. It is also useful if those affected make their social environment aware of their illness in order to prevent prejudices or misunderstandings. Because sometimes this can lead to inferiority complexes or reduced self-esteem if the disease persists and restricts the daily life of the affected person. Especially in stressful situations or during vigorous physical activity, the symptoms can intensify, so that the affected person can no longer concentrate properly. Therefore, addressing the fellow person in a targeted manner is an essential element of aftercare in order to master the handling of the disease in the long term.
What you can do yourself
Sensitivity to noise should first be evaluated by a physician. Together with the medical professional, measures can then be worked out that can reduce the symptoms in many cases. Intermittent noise sensitivity, for example due to stress or illness, can be treated with a number of aids. Earplugs or earmuffs, for example, filter out disturbing noises reliably and quickly. In the long term, however, these aids can exacerbate noise sensitivity. Therefore, high noise sensitivity should be treated causally. For example, acoustic therapy or targeted retraining of sensations and reactions to sounds has proven effective. Within the framework of these therapies, environmental sounds are linked to positive stimuli, which in the long term regulates the psychological and physical reaction to them. This is accompanied by behavioral therapy, which teaches the patient how to deal with the sounds. If these measures do not have any effect, everyday noise exposure should be reduced as much as possible. Insulation of the walls is an option here, as is an informative discussion with noisy neighbors or work colleagues. Finally, moving to a quieter area or changing jobs can also help.
