Hyperacusis

Char, author at Chronically Hopeful, writes of sound sensitivity which she suffers daily but becomes worse during a flare. Patients use ear protection

Whitney Dafoe is a very severely ill ME patient that must wear ear protection daily, even indoors

Hyperacusis is a debilitating hearing disorder where there is an increased sensitivity to certain frequencies and volume ranges of sound. Everyday sounds can be unbearable to the sufferer but will have no effect on others. Hyperacusis is often accompanied by Tinnitus. Hearing loss is a significant risk factor with both conditions.

Prevalence

Hyperacusis and Tinnitus have a prevalence of about 10–15%.

Learn more

• ME/CFS flares: what do they feel like and how to cope

See also

• Hypersensitivity
• Photophobia

flare-up A symptoms flare in ME/CFS is a temporary increase in symptoms, alternatively known as experiencing post-exertional malaise. May be referred to as a "crash" or "collapse".