Author: malam53

Have you ever been bothered by sounds that are perceived at a normal level by others?  For some people, soft sounds may be uncomfortable including water running in the sink or even people chatting at a conversational level. Hyperacusis is a condition in which individuals experience heightened sensitivity or discomfort in response to everyday sounds. This sets it apart from other sound-related issues such as misophonia and phonophobia (1). In this post, we will delve into loudness hyperacusis while describing other forms as well. The post will look at the symptoms, causes, treatments, and recommendations for those experiencing potential sound intolerances. 

With the ever-changing landscape of hearing aids, over-the-counter hearing devices (OTCs) are gaining more traction and are entering the market. If you’re shopping around for hearing aids you may have come across a much cheaper alternative OTCs, however, it is important to understand with the cheaper device costs, what you may be leaving on the table. In this post, I want to go over some important points that may help you make a more informed decision about the differences in acquiring hearing devices from hearing care professionals or going forward with OTCs.

One of the main symptoms often found in a person with a hearing impairment or even normal hearing individuals includes a phantom noise heard by one in the ear(s) and no one else. Tinnitus is referred to as noise in the ears which can be ringing, buzzing, and/or a whooshing type of sound (1). While most forms of tinnitus are subjective in that they are heard by the patient themselves, it can also be present in a more objective and rare form. When it is pulsing or beating in nature it is referred to as pulsatile tinnitus and often requires further medical investigation. Tinnitus can occur in both children or adults, one ear or both, intermittent or constant and when it spans over 3 months it is known as chronic. 

Our ability to hear is one of our five vital senses and when one has trouble hearing it can significantly decrease a person’s quality of life. A hearing impairment can affect individuals of all ages. It can lead to delays in speech and language development in children and may cause frustration and social isolation and impact relationships in adults and older adults.