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To family and loved ones,
I want to explain sound sensitivity in a simple way so you understand what is happening and how you can support yourself and the person you care about.
Sound sensitivity is a condition where everyday sounds feel too loud or sharp. In some cases, sounds can cause physical pain, burning and the ears to feel hot. The ears are not damaged. The nervous system becomes more sensitive and reacts as if normal sounds are a threat. Stress and poor sleep can make this sensitivity stronger. When the individual’s system is already stretched, even small sounds can feel overwhelming.
Many people try to cope by leaving the room, avoiding gatherings or going to bed early. This gives short relief, but it can keep the brain in a protection mode. The brain never gets a chance to learn that everyday sounds are safe. Over time this leads to more sensitivity, not less.
The goal is the opposite. If possible, we want the person to stay in normal situations as much as possible, but with small breaks (either leaving the room or using sound therapy) when needed to settle the system. This helps the brain relearn safety and reduces the reaction over time. It’s important to note that in some cases, with severe sound sensitivity (sometimes referred to as pain hyperacusis and noxacusis), staying in ‘normal situations’ is not possible)
A simple capacity scale can help communication. You can use a 15 point scale from -5 to 10. 10 means plenty of capacity. 0 means you are running low. Minus numbers mean you are in fight-or-flight. When both people in the room are low, tension rises quickly creating a stressful state, rather than a resourceful state. Sharing scores keeps things calm and predictable.
This explanation is not about blame. It is about understanding what the nervous system is doing and creating an environment where everyone feels supported. This approach helps reduce symptoms and makes daily life smoother for everyone involved.
More resources on hyperacusis:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hyperacusis
