Sensitive to Sound
Free Symptom Checker
with Physician-supervised AI
Reviewed By:
Bret Mobley, MD, MS (Neuropathology)
Dr. Mobley graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School, completing a masters degree in neuroscience between his second and third years of medical school. He trained as a resident in pathology at Stanford University Hospital before joining the faculty of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville Tennessee in 2010. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018 and to Neuropathology Division Director in 2020.
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
Rohini R, MD (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Dr. Rohini R is an ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon, with a Fellowship in Advanced Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery and a Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine and Lasers. Besides clinical practice and working with Ubie, she is actively training and mentoring medical students and residents. She has functioned in various work settings - teaching hospitals, private and free health centers, and worked with patients from all socioeconomic backgrounds due to her experience in free hospitals and volunteering in India and Singapore.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Sound sensitivity
Auditory hyperesthesia
Hyperacousia
How Ubie Can Help You
With a free 3-min Sensitive to Sound quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
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Your personal report will tell you
✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Even small sounds can be heard in my ear
- Hypersensitive hearing
- Sensitive to sounds
- Sensitive to sound
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Try Free Symptom QuizAbout the Symptom
A condition where someone is very sensitive to sounds or noises. The sounds may seem very loud even though others are not bothered by them. There are many causes of hearing hypersensitivity, including ear or head injuries.
Possible Causes
Generally, Sensitive to sound can be related to:
- Meniere's Disease
Meniere disease is caused by excess fluid in the inner ear. It is characterized by recurring episodes of dizziness, hearing loss, and ringing in the ear (tinnitus). The disorder typically occurs in one ear.
- Ear Infection
Infection of the middle ear (area just behind the eardrum) by bacteria or viruses. Contributing factors include nasal obstruction by adenoids and allergic rhinitis. The symptoms can include ear pain or fullness, fevers, and muffled hearing. This is more common in children but can also present in adults. In severe cases, the eardrum may rupture leading to drainage coming out the ear canal.
- Neurofibromatosis
Neurofibromatosis is a disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves, the spinal cord, or the brain as well as areas outside the nervous system. The tumors are usually benign, but can occasionally become cancerous. There are 3 kinds of neurofibromatosis with different symptoms, and they are usually diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood. The disorder is caused by a gene mutation which is most often inherited, or can arise randomly during life.
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Sensitive to sound may be related to these serious diseases:
- Bell's Palsy
Characterized by sudden weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles, Bell's palsy is usually temporary and occurs on one side of the face. The exact cause is unknown but is believed to be due to swelling and inflammation of the nerve controlling the facial muscles or viral infection. Anyone can be affected by this condition, but pregnant women, those with lung infections, and those with a family history of the condition are at higher risk.
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do normal environmental sounds seem unusually loud to you?
- How has your sound sensitivity and discomfort changed since it started?
- How long have you had hyperacusis?
- How often have you experienced hyperacusis?
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Try Free Symptom QuizFAQs
Q.
Can I Self-Check My Hearing If I Am Sensitive to Sound?
A.
While you can perform some basic self-checks for your hearing, especially if you are sensitive to sound (a condition known as hyperacusis), it is important to recognize that these self-assessments are not a substitute for professional evaluation. A comprehensive hearing assessment by an audiologist or healthcare provider is essential for accurate diagnosis and management.
References:
Raj-Koziak D, Gos E, Kutyba JJ, Skarzynski PH, Skarzynski H. Hyperacusis Assessment Questionnaire-A New Tool Assessing Hyperacusis in Subjects with Tinnitus. J Clin Med. 2023 Oct 19;12(20):6622. doi: 10.3390/jcm12206622. PMID: 37892760; PMCID: PMC10607047.
Huang Y, Xiang T, Jiang F, Ren J, Xu T, Lai D. Combined evaluation of audiology examination and self-reported symptoms in patients with hyperacusis. Sci Rep. 2023 Jan 27;13(1):1522. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-28570-8. PMID: 36707533; PMCID: PMC9883457.
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Reviewed By:
Bret Mobley, MD, MS (Neuropathology)
Dr. Mobley graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School, completing a masters degree in neuroscience between his second and third years of medical school. He trained as a resident in pathology at Stanford University Hospital before joining the faculty of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville Tennessee in 2010. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018 and to Neuropathology Division Director in 2020.
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
Rohini R, MD (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Dr. Rohini R is an ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon, with a Fellowship in Advanced Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery and a Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine and Lasers. Besides clinical practice and working with Ubie, she is actively training and mentoring medical students and residents. She has functioned in various work settings - teaching hospitals, private and free health centers, and worked with patients from all socioeconomic backgrounds due to her experience in free hospitals and volunteering in India and Singapore.
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1