kuuloherkkyyteen

Kuuloherkkyys, known in English as hyperacusis, is a medical condition characterized by an increased sensitivity to ordinary everyday sounds. Individuals experiencing hyperacusis perceive sounds as uncomfortably loud, painful, or irritating, even when they are at normal or low volume levels. This heightened sensitivity can significantly impact a person's quality of life, leading to social isolation and avoidance of certain environments or activities.

The exact causes of hyperacusis are not fully understood, but it is often associated with conditions such as traumatic brain injury, Ménière's disease, Bell's palsy, and prolonged exposure to loud noise. It can also be a symptom of other neurological or auditory disorders. The brain's auditory processing system is thought to be involved, where the normal suppression of everyday sounds may be impaired.

Symptoms of hyperacusis can vary in intensity and presentation. Beyond loudness perception, individuals may experience ear pain, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), dizziness, and emotional distress such as anxiety or depression. The condition can manifest as a general intolerance to all sounds or a specific sensitivity to certain frequencies or types of noise.

Diagnosis typically involves a thorough audiological evaluation by a healthcare professional. This may include audiometry to assess hearing thresholds and tests to evaluate loudness discomfort levels. There is no single cure for hyperacusis, but management strategies often focus on reducing sound exposure, sound therapy or desensitization, and cognitive-behavioral therapy to help individuals cope with the emotional and psychological effects of the condition. Protecting the ears with earplugs in noisy environments is also a common recommendation, though complete avoidance of sound is generally not advised as it can worsen the sensitivity over time.