What it is
For some people it gets better by itself. Treating any underlying cause can also help.
Sound therapy, counselling such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and gradually getting used to everyday sounds again can help. Wearing earplugs all the time can make it worse.
Common signs
- Everyday sounds seeming too loud
- Discomfort or pain in the ears from noise
- Feeling anxious about noise
- Avoiding busy or noisy places
- Ringing or buzzing in the ears
How it is usually diagnosed
- Questions about symptoms and how sound affects you
- Ear examination
- Hearing tests, including tests of how loud sounds feel
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Hearing test results
- Ear, nose and throat (ENT) or audiology letters
- Sound therapy plans
Questions to ask your doctor
- What might be causing this?
- Should I use earplugs or not?
- Can I be referred for sound therapy?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Sudden hearing loss, or sound sensitivity after a head injury: see a doctor the same day
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.