Which nerve is involved in hyperacusis?

Hyperacusis is associated with a wide variety of conditions outlined in Table 11.3. The stapedial reflex, also called the attenuation reflex, is innervated by the facial nerve and functions to dampen the perceived intensity of incoming sound. Disruption of this reflex in TBI may lead to hyperacusis.

What part of the brain is affected by hyperacusis?

Hyperacusis, or sensitive hearing, describes a problem in the way the brain’s central auditory processing center perceives noise, often leading to pain and discomfort.

What causes hyperacusis?

The most common cause of hyperacusis is damage to the inner ear from ageing or exposure to loud noise. Hyperacusis is often associated with tinnitus (buzzing, ringing or whistling noises in the ears) and distortion of sounds. Usually both ears are affected, although it is possible to have it in only one ear.

What is a hyperacusis?

Hyperacusis is a disorder in loudness perception. Patients suffering from hyperacusis may appear overly sensitive to a range of sounds, finding many noises unbearable and painfully loud.

Is hyperacusis caused by nerve damage?

Hyperacusis can also arise from damage to the nerve between the ear and brain (8th nerve, labeled 6, auditory nerve). Examples here might be hyperacusis after a sudden hearing loss (attributed to viral damage to the hearing nerve), or microvascular compression syndrome.

What can be mistaken for hyperacusis?

Hyperacusis and phonophobia are two subjective phenomena that sometimes are indistinguishable, as their descriptions very much rely on information from the patient. The definition of both can also be confusing, and in many medical publications, the terms hyperacusis and phonophobia have been used in the same context.

What causes sudden noise sensitivity?

Loud noise is a major cause of hyperacusis. Exposure can happen over time (like playing loud music for many years) or a single occurrence (like hearing a gunshot). Head injury. An injury involving the head, jaw, or ear can lead to hyperacusis.

Does anxiety cause hyperacusis?

Acute Stress Induces Hyperacusis in Women with High Levels of Emotional Exhaustion.

What is vestibular hyperacusis?

Hyperacusis is the perception of unusual auditory sensitivity to some environmental noises or tones. In vestibular hyperacusis, exposure to sound can result in falling or a loss of balance or postural control. We suspect that the main pathology results from damage to the nerve cells in the balance system.

How do you reverse hyperacusis?

CBT can be used to treat hyperacusis, along with other symptoms such as depression, PTSD, and anxiety. This therapy aims to reverse the negative impact of hyperacusis on your emotions, psychological well-being, and quality of life by changing your thought and behavior patterns through a psychologist.