Hyperacusis Treatment in Lafayette, LA

If normal sounds feel too loud or even painful, you may have hyperacusis. ACI Hearing Center in Lafayette offers Loudness Discomfort Level testing, sound tolerance therapy, and support for adults and children with sound sensitivity.

Schedule an Evaluation or call (337) 223-9448

What is hyperacusis?

Hyperacusis is a condition where everyday sounds feel painful or much too loud. A running dishwasher, a child laughing, or a car door closing might make you flinch, cover your ears, or feel real physical pain. About 8 to 15 percent of adults have some form of sound sensitivity, and about 40 percent of people with tinnitus also have hyperacusis.

Hyperacusis is not the same as tinnitus. Tinnitus is a phantom sound like ringing or buzzing that only you hear. Hyperacusis is your reaction to real outside sounds. Many people have both at once, and the treatments overlap but are not identical.

Signs you might have hyperacusis

  • Everyday sounds feel painful, sharp, or overwhelming.
  • You avoid restaurants, concerts, or family gatherings because of the noise.
  • You feel worn out after a normal day of sound exposure.
  • You wear earplugs most of the time, even indoors.
  • Sudden sounds make you startle much more than they used to.

How ACI Hearing Center evaluates hyperacusis

Every patient starts with a full diagnostic hearing test to rule out hearing loss and check how the whole hearing system is working. From there we run Loudness Discomfort Level testing. The audiologist plays a series of tones at slowly increasing volume, and you signal when a tone becomes uncomfortable. We compare your results to normal ranges to measure how sensitive your hearing is. The whole visit takes about 60 to 90 minutes and is painless.

For patients who also have tinnitus, we may add tone decay testing and a full tinnitus intake. See our Tinnitus Treatment page for the tinnitus side of the workup.

Treatment options

Hyperacusis treatment works by slowly retraining the brain to accept normal sound levels. There is no pill and no quick fix, but most patients get much better over 6 to 18 months.

Sound Tolerance Therapy

You listen to soft pink noise or nature sounds through small ear-level devices, starting at very low levels. Over months we slowly increase the volume. Your brain learns to accept sound again. This is the most common first-line treatment.

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)

If you have both tinnitus and hyperacusis, TRT combines sound therapy with counseling. It was designed by Dr. Pawel Jastreboff for exactly this combination and has strong evidence behind it.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Sound sensitivity often brings anxiety and avoidance. Talk therapy with a counselor who understands hyperacusis can reduce the distress side of the condition, which speeds up sound tolerance work.

Hearing Protection Education

Many hyperacusis patients wear earplugs all the time to feel safe. That actually makes the condition worse because the brain gets even more sensitive to sound. We teach you when to wear hearing protection, like at concerts or a loud workplace, and when to leave it off so the brain can adjust. See our Custom Hearing Protection page for the protection options we fit.

Hyperacusis in children

Sound sensitivity is common in children on the autism spectrum. Other children develop hyperacusis after ear infections, head injuries, or loud noise exposure. Our team performs age-appropriate testing and works with families on gentle sound therapy plans. See our Pediatric Audiology page for more on how we work with kids.

Who treats hyperacusis at ACI

All four of our audiologists perform tinnitus and hyperacusis evaluations: Dr. Kimberly Allred Au.D., Dr. Courtney Barbier Au.D., Dr. Elizabeth Lemaire Au.D., and Dr. Sarah Lalande-Davies Au.D. Meet the team on our Our Team page.

Frequently asked questions

Is hyperacusis the same as tinnitus?

No. Tinnitus is a phantom sound. Hyperacusis is your reaction to real outside sound. Many people have both, but they are separate conditions.

Can hyperacusis be cured?

Most people improve a lot with treatment. Sound tolerance therapy over 6 to 18 months helps the brain accept normal sound again. There is not always a full cure, but most patients get back to daily life without pain.

Will wearing earplugs all the time help?

No. It can make things worse. When you block out sound too much, the brain gets even more sensitive. We teach patients when to wear hearing protection and when to leave it off.

What causes hyperacusis?

Common causes include loud noise exposure, head injury, some medications, ear infections, and stress. Sometimes it starts with no clear cause. Our first step is a full diagnostic hearing test and Loudness Discomfort Level testing.

Does insurance cover hyperacusis testing?

Diagnostic hearing tests are often covered when medically necessary. Sound tolerance therapy programs are sometimes covered, sometimes not. Call us at (337) 223-9448 and we will check your plan before your visit.

Schedule an evaluation

If everyday sounds feel too loud, do not wait it out. Hyperacusis usually responds well to treatment, and starting sooner makes the process shorter. Call ACI Hearing Center in Lafayette at (337) 223-9448 or use our contact form to schedule a hyperacusis evaluation.