{"id":3381,"date":"2023-09-08T14:14:14","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T18:14:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.entofathens.com\/?p=3381"},"modified":"2023-09-08T16:10:40","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T20:10:40","slug":"what-is-the-link-between-hyperacusis-and-tinnitus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.entofathens.com\/what-is-the-link-between-hyperacusis-and-tinnitus\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is the Link Between Hyperacusis and Tinnitus?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Tinnitus is a ringing, buzzing or clicking sound in your ears<\/a> that isn\u2019t attributed to any external source and cannot be heard from the outside. Hyperacusis is a heightened sensitivity to sounds in the environment that others tolerate or do not notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tinnitus and hyperacusis can exist either independently or together. Let\u2019s examine why they might be connected and how you can manage them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is the Connection?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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A study on the connection between the two found that nearly half of people with tinnitus report some degree of hyperacusis, and most people with hyperacusis report experiencing tinnitus. The study posited that the link between the two is that both tinnitus and hyperacusis can result from the central auditory system\u2019s compensatory responses to reduced peripheral input from either overt or hidden hearing loss<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the central auditory system is not stimulated, it may compensate by becoming hyperactive and causing the symptoms of hyperacuity and tinnitus. Essentially, the brain overreacts to an absence of input<\/a> by creating the severe noises those with hyperacuity and tinnitus experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can Hyperacusis and Tinnitus Be Managed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With hyperacusis, the negative physiologic and emotional responses to sound can be strong enough to cause a person to avoid interactions and situations that may exacerbate the condition<\/a>. Avoiding interactions that aggravate hyperacusis can have a detrimental effect on a person\u2019s life. Treatment may include one or more of the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n