Helping you manage sound sensitivity with expert care.
Understanding the impact of sound intolerance is the first step in seeking effective treatment, with sound therapy & cognitive behavioural therapy emerging as the most effective options.
Sound therapy is a non-invasive treatment designed to help individuals with sound intolerance manage their sensitivity to noise. The therapy works by gradually retraining the brain’s auditory system to process sounds in a more balanced and less distressing way. It employs the use of controlled, low-level sounds to desensitise the auditory system over time.
Sound therapy can take different forms, depending on the patient’s needs. Examples include:
- White Noise Generators: Devices that emit steady background sounds to help the auditory system adapt to continuous noise.
- Environmental Sound Exposure: Listening to natural sounds, such as ocean waves or birdsong, to promote relaxation and reduce sensitivity.
While sound therapy requires patience and consistency, many patients report significant improvements in their ability to tolerate everyday noises.
For many people with sound intolerance, it’s not the sound itself causing distress but rather the negative emotional response their brain associates with it. These reactions can amplify feelings of anxiety, frustration, or hopelessness. By changing the way the brain interprets their trigger sounds, patients can learn to resume their normal daily activities without distress.
CBT works by:
- Helping patients identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts or behaviours related to their trigger sounds.
- Providing practical tools to reframe their brain’s response to their trigger sounds.
- Teaching coping strategies to make the sound less noticeable and easier to manage.
Some of the most common signs include:
- Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
- Turning up the TV or radio louder than others prefer
- Difficulty following conversations, especially in noisy environments
- Feeling like people are mumbling
- Avoiding social situations due to hearing difficulties
If you notice any of these signs, it's a good idea to schedule a hearing assessment.
Hearing loss can result from a variety of factors, including:
- Age-related hearing degeneration (presbycusis)
- Prolonged exposure to loud noise
- Ear infections or blockages like earwax buildup
- Certain medications that can damage hearing (ototoxic drugs)
- Head injuries or genetic conditions
An audiologist can help determine the specific cause in your case.
An audiologist will perform a comprehensive hearing evaluation, which may include:
- A review of your medical and hearing history
- Physical examination of the ears
- Pure-tone testing to measure what sounds you can hear
- Speech testing to assess how well you understand words
- Tympanometry to evaluate middle ear function
This assessment helps us tailor a treatment plan specific to your needs.
Not always. Treatment depends on the type and severity of hearing loss. In some cases, medical treatment or surgery can address the issue.
However, for most forms of sensorineural hearing loss (the most common type), hearing aids are the most effective solution.
Modern hearing aids are discreet, highly customizable, and designed to improve quality of life. Your audiologist will guide you through the best options.
The key goal of sound therapy is to desensitise the auditory system and reduce its over-responsiveness to noise. This is achieved through gradual exposure to controlled sounds, enabling the brain to adapt and recalibrate its perception of auditory input. Below are the main components of sound therapy:
1. GRADUAL DESENSITISATION
One of the primary principles of sound therapy is gradual exposure. Patients begin by listening to low-level sounds, which are adjusted to match their tolerance. Over time, the intensity of these sounds is increased to encourage the auditory system to adapt without causing discomfort.
2. AUDITORY RETRAINING
By repeatedly exposing the brain to benign, non-threatening sounds, the therapy encourages a change in how the auditory system processes noise. This retraining process helps reduce the negative emotional response often associated with hyperacusis, such as anxiety or fear.
3. CUSTOMISATION AND MONITORING
Sound therapy is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Each treatment plan is tailored to the individual’s specific needs, preferences, and tolerance levels. At Hamilton Audiology we regularly monitor progress and make adjustments to ensure the therapy remains effective.
4. USE OF SOUND GENERATORS AND APPS
Many patients use wearable sound generators or smartphone apps to deliver consistent sound exposure throughout the day. These tools allow patients to continue therapy in their daily lives, whether at home, work, or during leisure activities.Sound therapy is most effective when combined with regular follow-ups and a commitment to the treatment process.
If you’re considering sound therapy as a treatment for sound intolerance, it’s important to know what to expect and how to maximise its benefits. Here are some practical insights:
1. Comprehensive Assessment for Sound Intolerance
Before beginning sound therapy, a comprehensive assessment & evaluation can determine whether sound therapy is appropriate and rule out other potential causes of your symptoms.
2. Prepare for a gradual process
Sound therapy is not a quick fix. It requires time, patience, and consistency. Results may take weeks or even months to become noticeable, but gradual improvements often lead to meaningful, long-term relief.
3. Communication
At Hamilton Audiology open communication is key. If certain sounds feel uncomfortable or if you’re unsure about any part of the treatment plan, don’t hesitate to ask questions or request adjustments.
4. Combine therapy with stress management
Stress and anxiety can exacerbate sound intolerance symptoms. Complementing sound therapy with relaxation techniques, such as mindfulness meditation or deep breathing exercises, can enhance its effectiveness.
5. Create a supportive environment
Incorporate sound therapy into your daily routine by creating a calm, controlled environment for listening sessions. This helps minimise distractions and maximises the therapy’s benefits.
6. Follow a structured schedule
Regular, consistent exposure to sound is crucial for progress. Follow the therapy plan outlined by Hamilton Audiology, and make it a part of your daily routine.
- Improved Tolerance to Noise: Many patients report feeling more comfortable in noisy environments after undergoing therapy.
- Reduced Emotional Distress: Sound and or Cognitive therapy helps alleviate the anxiety and frustration associated with hyperacusis/misophonia.
- Enhanced Quality of Life: Desensitisation to sound allows individuals to participate more fully in social and professional activities.
- Non-Invasive : Unlike surgical or pharmacological interventions, sound/cognitive therapy is gentle and carries minimal risk.
- Time Commitment: Significant progress requires a consistent and long-term effort.Variable Results: While many patients see substantial improvement, outcomes can vary based on the severity of hyperacusis and adherence to the treatment plan.
- Not a Cure-All: Sound therapy is most effective as part of a broader management strategy that includes professional care and lifestyle adjustments.
Sound intolerance refers to an abnormal sensitivity or emotional reaction to everyday sounds that most people find tolerable. The two most common types are:
Hyperacusis: heightened sensitivity to sound, causing discomfort or pain.
Misophonia: strong emotional reactions like anger or anxiety to specific trigger sounds (e.g., chewing, tapping).
If you find normal sounds overwhelming or distressing, a professional evaluation can help determine the cause and best course of action.
There are several potential causes, including:
- Noise-induced hearing damage
- Neurological conditions or brain injury
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disordersAnxiety, PTSD, or other emotional health factors
- Ear infections or other ear disorders
In some cases, sound intolerance is linked to other hearing issues, so a full hearing evaluation is essential
Diagnosis typically involves:
- A thorough case history and symptom discussion
- Hearing tests to rule out hearing loss or damage
- Sound tolerance testing (such as Loudness Discomfort Level testing)
- Assessment of psychological or emotional responses to sound
Our clinic uses a multidisciplinary approach to ensure an accurate diagnosis and personalized care plan.
Yes, sound intolerance can often be managed with the right strategies, such as:
- Sound therapy to gradually desensitize the ears
- Counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to address emotional reactions
- Use of hearing devices with sound generators
- Lifestyle adjustments and coping techniques
Treatment is highly individualized and may involve both audiological and psychological support.
