Hyperacusis and Anxiety
When Everyday Sounds Become Overwhelming
Imagine the hum of your refrigerator sounding like a roar, or a faucet drip piercing your focus like a siren. For those struggling with anxiety-induced hyperacusis, this isn’t just imagination; it’s a daily reality.
Sound sensitivity, or hyperacusis, can be a disorienting and distressing symptom of anxiety disorder. While hyperacusis can arise from physical or neurological causes, anxiety is a common, often overlooked trigger. Fortunately, understanding the connection can pave the way to relief.
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What Is Hyperacusis?
Hyperacusis is an increased sensitivity to everyday sounds that are typically well-tolerated by others. It can feel as if the volume of the world has been turned up without your consent. This heightened sensitivity may affect one or both ears, fluctuate in intensity, and occur with or without accompanying symptoms like tinnitus.
Common Symptoms of Hyperacusis
- Everyday sounds seem excessively loud or painful
- Distress or anxiety triggered by normal volume sounds
- Physical fullness or pressure in the ears
- Difficulty concentrating in noisy environments
- Symptoms worsen with stress, fatigue, or certain environments
Sounds that may trigger discomfort include:
- Kitchen appliances (dishwasher, refrigerator)
- Running water or dripping faucets
- Car engines, motorcycles, leaf blowers
- Loud conversations or crowded rooms
These symptoms may be constant, come and go, or spike during periods of rest, relaxation, or elevated anxiety.
To see if anxiety might be playing a role in your symptoms, rate your level of anxiety using our free one-minute instant results Anxiety Test, Anxiety Disorder Test, or Hyperstimulation Test.
The higher the rating, the more likely anxiety could be contributing to or causing your anxiety symptoms, including feeling like impending doom symptoms.
How Anxiety Can Cause or Worsen Hyperacusis
Medical Advisory
Talk to your doctor about all new, changing, persistent, and returning symptoms as some medical conditions and medications can cause anxiety-like symptoms.
Anxiety activates the body's stress response, flooding the body with stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Over time, chronic activation (hyperstimulation) sensitizes the body and brain, including the auditory system. This heightened state can lead to distorted sensory processing, making harmless sounds feel intolerable.
When I experienced anxiety-induced hyperacusis, even the quietest sounds became amplified. There were times when I heard a deep rumbling that wouldn’t let up, and other times, specific frequencies were excruciatingly sharp and irritating.
Nervous System and Auditory Hypersensitivity
Research supports this connection. A 2013 study by Hasson et al. found that acute stress can trigger hyperacusis in individuals experiencing emotional exhaustion.[1]
Similarly, Baguley (2003) highlights that emotional and physiological stress alters the brain's auditory gating mechanisms, making sound feel more intense.[2]
Anxiety vs. Other Causes of Hyperacusis
While anxiety is a significant contributor, hyperacusis may also be linked to:
- Acoustic trauma (exposure to loud noise)
- Head, neck, or jaw injury
- Ear infections or ototoxic medications
- Migraines or neurological disorders
- Autoimmune conditions
If hyperacusis appears suddenly or persists despite anxiety recovery strategies, it's essential to consult with a medical professional to rule out underlying conditions.
Other Factors
Other factors can create stress and cause anxiety-like symptoms, as well as aggravate existing anxiety symptoms, including:
- Medication
- Recreational drugs
- Stimulants
- Sleep deprivation
- Fatigue
- Hyper and hypoventilation
- Low blood sugar
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Dehydration
- Hormone changes
- Pain
Select the relevant link for more information.
Recovery: Calming the Nervous System and Easing Sound Sensitivity
1. Address the Root: Anxiety Recovery
The most effective strategy for anxiety-induced hyperacusis is to reduce the body's overall stress load. Recovery requires:
- Identifying and resolving underlying anxiety issues
- Faithfully practicing calming techniques (breathing, relaxation, grounding)
- Practicing acceptance and patience during recovery
The body stops producing stress symptoms when the stress response is no longer activated and the body has had enough time to recover.
2. Sound Therapy (with Caution)
For some, gradual sound desensitization can help. White noise machines, nature sounds, or tailored sound therapy with a professional audiologist may reduce sensitivity. However, therapy must be personalized to avoid further overstimulation.
3. Lifestyle and Nutritional Support
Other supportive strategies include:
- Maintaining regular sleep patterns
- Eliminating stimulants (caffeine, MSG)
- Staying hydrated
- Balancing blood sugar
- Avoiding overexertion and sensory overload
Anxiety Tests
FAQ
1. Is hyperacusis a sign of mental illness?
Not necessarily. While anxiety can cause hyperacusis, it is not an indicator of severe mental illness. It’s a common stress symptom and typically resolves with recovery.
2. Can hyperacusis go away on its own?
Yes, especially when it is stress-induced. As the nervous system calms and the body recovers, sound sensitivity often subsides. Mine did when I eliminated hyperstimulation. I’ve never had it since.
3. Should I avoid all noise if I have hyperacusis?
Complete avoidance can worsen sensitivity. Gentle, controlled exposure to sound in safe environments may support gradual desensitization. If your environment is too bothersome, wearing earplugs can help reduce the irritation. However, earplugs should be removed in settings where unobstructed hearing is important, such as when driving.
4. Can medication help with anxiety-related hyperacusis?
In some cases, anti-anxiety medication may reduce symptoms. However, long-term relief often comes from addressing root causes and promoting nervous system recovery.
5. What professional should I see for hyperacusis?
Start with a physician to rule out medical causes. Audiologists and anxiety therapists can help with diagnosis and recovery strategies.
Hope and Healing
Hyperacusis as an anxiety symptom can feel frightening, but it is reversible. With the right knowledge, recovery strategies, and patience, your body can return to a balanced, peaceful state. You’re not alone, and relief is just on the other side of your recovery strategies.
If you’re struggling with sound sensitivity or other anxiety symptoms, you can read the many articles on our website for trusted information and professional support.
Common Anxiety Symptoms
Additional Resources
- For a comprehensive list of Anxiety Disorders Symptoms Signs, Types, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment.
- Anxiety and panic attacks symptoms can be powerful experiences. Find out what they are and how to stop them.
- How to stop an anxiety attack and panic.
- Free online anxiety tests to screen for anxiety. Two minute tests with instant results. Such as:
- Anxiety 101 is a summarized description of anxiety, anxiety disorder, and how to overcome it.
Return to our anxiety disorders signs and symptoms page.
anxietycentre.com: Information, support, and therapy for anxiety disorder and its symptoms, including Anxiety and Hyperacusis symptoms.
References
1. Hasson, Dan, et al. "Acute Stress Induces Hyperacusis in Women with High Levels of Emotional Exhaustion." PLOS ONE, 2013.
2. Baguley, David. "Hyperacusis." Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 2003.