Hyperacusis

Helping children and adults hear more easily.

Overview

Hyperacusis and Misophonia

Hyperacusis is an over sensitivity to sound that has perceptual, psychological, and social dimensions. Hyperacusis can be related to the loudness of the sound and/or to emotional reaction (annoyance or fear) to sound. There is a growing awareness that children, as well as adults, experience symptoms of hyperacusis or misophonia, which are real and are experienced by almost 9% of the population.

Evidence gathered over the past two decades suggest hyperacusis may be related to increased gain in the central auditory pathway and to increased anxiety or emotional response to loud sounds. Not everyone with hyperacusis needs treatment from a professional. However, there are many people who have benefited from seeing a hyperacusis specialist. Various counseling and sound therapy approaches have proven to be successful in treating hyperacusis.

Are you experiencing hyperacusis or misophonia?

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Learning Corner

Featured talks by Professor Danesh

Hyperacusis pathophysiology and management presentation

Hyperacusis · Feature

Hyperacusis: Underlying Pathophysiology and Management — Professor Danesh Explains it All!

The provided text is primarily from a presentation by Professor Danesh outlining the underlying pathophysiology, definitions, and management of hyperacusis, a decreased sound tolerance disorder. It discusses neurological, peripheral, and central causes of the condition, along with associated pathological conditions and comorbidities such as tinnitus, autism spectrum disorder, and psychological issues like anxiety and depression. The presentation also covers various methods for evaluating hyperacusis, including loudness discomfort levels and questionnaires. Finally, it explores different treatment approaches, encompassing psychological therapies like CBT, sound therapy techniques, and mentions limited research into medical and surgical interventions.

Professor Danesh breaks down hyperacusis: what causes it, how it's diagnosed, and the treatment options available today, including sound therapy and CBT. A must-watch for anyone navigating decreased sound tolerance.

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Misophonia mysteries and management presentation

Misophonia · Feature

Misophonia: Mysteries, Management, and Neurobiological Insights (Explained by Professor Ali Danesh)

Misophonia is a decreased sound tolerance disorder characterized by strong emotional and physiological reactions to specific sounds, particularly those repetitive and human-produced. The condition is not about the loudness of the sound, but rather the content, and often triggers feelings like anger, anxiety, and disgust. Research explores the neurobiological underpinnings of misophonia, identifying key brain regions like the insular cortex and amygdala and suggests that motor responses also play a significant role. Studies indicate misophonia can significantly impact quality of life, leading to avoidance behaviors, social isolation, and even self-harm, and commonly co-occurs with other psychiatric disorders. Assessment involves case history, questionnaires, and audiologic testing, while management strategies include sound therapy, counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, and relaxation techniques. The information also calls for greater awareness among academics and personalized treatment plans.

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Research

Recent Tinnitus & Hyperacusis Articles

Written by Dr. Danesh and Colleagues.

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01

Danesh, A.A. & Kaplan, J., Barvo, C. & Dobuler, A. (2025). OUTLOOK ON HYPERACUSIS AND MISOPHONIA IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS (ASD). J Hear Sci 2025;1(SPECIAL ISSUE ON MISOPHONIA AND HYPERACUSIS 1):54-57.
doi.org/10.17430/jhs/211236
02

Danesh, A.A. & Kaplan, J. (2024). Hyperacusis and autism spectrum disorder. ENT & AUDIOLOGY NEWS VOLUME 33 ISSUE 3 JUL/AUG 2024.
ENT & Audiology News
03

Aazh H, Hayes C, Moore BCJ, Danesh AA, Vitoratou S. (2022). Psychometric Evaluation of the Hyperacusis Impact Questionnaire (HIQ) and Sound Sensitivity Symptoms Questionnaire (SSSQ) Using a Clinical Population of Adult Patients with Tinnitus Alone or Combined with Hyperacusis. J Am Acad Audiol. 2022 Feb 23. doi: 10.1055/a-1780-4002. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35196727.
PubMed
04

Danesh AA, Howery S, Aazh H, Kaf W, Eshraghi AA (2021). Hyperacusis in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Audiology Research, 11(4):547-556.
MDPI · Audiology Research
05

Aazh H, Danesh AA, Moore BCJ (2021). Self-reported Tinnitus Severity Prior to and During the COVID-19 Lockdown in the UK. J Am Acad Audiol. 2021 Oct;32(9):562-566. doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1731733. Epub 2022 Feb 17.
MDPI · Audiology Research
06

Aazh H, Danesh AA (2021). ONLINE FEATURE | Trilogy of Papers: Audiologist-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Tinnitus and Hyperacusis. Audiology Today, March-April Online Issue.
Audiology Today
07

Aazh, H & Danesh, AA (2020). Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Tinnitus: Insights from Health Care Professionals. The Hearing Journal. First published online Wednesday, December 30, 2020.
Audiology Today
08

Aazh H, Danesh AA, Moore BCJ. Internal Consistency and Convergent Validity of the Inventory of Hyperacusis Symptoms. Ear Hear. 2020 Nov 30. doi: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000000982. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33259445.
PubMed
09

Aazh, H & Danesh, AA (2020). Tinnitus and Insomnia, The Hearing Journal: June 2020 – Volume 73 – Issue 6 – p 14,15.
The Hearing Journal
10

Danesh, AA & Aazh, H (2020). Misophonia: A Neurologic, Psychologic, and Audiologic Complex. The Hearing Journal. Vol 73, pp20-23.
The Hearing Journal
11

Aazh, H., Landgrebe, M., Danesh, AA & Moore, BCJ. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Alleviating The Distress Caused By Tinnitus, Hyperacusis And Misophonia: Current Perspectives. Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2019 Oct 23;12:991-1002.
PubMed
12

Danesh, AA (2019). Incorporating Tinnitus Management Services into your Audiology Practice. The Hearing Journal. Vol 72, pp22-23.
The Hearing Journal
13

Aazh, H., Landgrebe, M & Danesh, AA. (2019). Parental mental illness in childhood as a risk factor for suicidal and self-harm ideations in adults seeking help for tinnitus and/or hyperacusis. Am J Aud.
PubMed
14

Porcaro, C.K., Alavi, E., Gollery, T., & Danesh, A.A. (2019). Misophonia: Awareness and Responsiveness Among Academics. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 108-118, 32 (2).
JPED
15

Aazh, H., Langguth, B. & Danesh, AA (2018). Parental separation and parental mental health in childhood and tinnitus and hyperacusis disability in adulthood: a retrospective exploratory analysis. Int J of Aud. 2018 Oct 1:1-6. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2018.1514470.
PubMed
16

Aazh, H., Danesh, AA & Moore, BCJ (2018). Parental mental health in childhood as a risk factor for anxiety and depression among people seeking help for tinnitus and hyperacusis. J of Am Acad Aud.
PubMed
17

Aazh H, Knipper M, Danesh AA, Cavanna AE, Andersson L, Paulin J, Schecklmann M, Heinonen-Guzejev M, & Moore BCJ (2018). Insights from the Third International Conference on Hyperacusis: Causes, Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Noise Health. 2018 Jul-Aug;20(95):162-170.
PubMed Central
18

Ocak, M, Eshraghi, R, Danesh, AA, Mittal, R & Eshraghi E (2018). Central Auditory Processing Disorders in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Balkan Medical Journal, June 2018.
ResearchGate
19

Danesh, AA, Shahnaz, N, & Hall, JW (2018). The Audiology of Otosclerosis. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2018 Apr;51(2):327-342.
PubMed
20

Danesh, AA (2019). Hyperacusis and its Management.
Florida Academy of Audiology (PDF)

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