The medical term hypoacusis means simply hearing impairment, a partial or total inability to hear. This hearing loss becomes obvious in many routine situations: Do you have trouble understanding conversations at a restaurant? Do you have a hard time communicating in loud environments? Or, do family and friends constantly remind you that the TV is set too loud? If so, there is reason to believe you suffer from hypoacusis.

Symptoms of hyperacusis
Hyperacusis can either start suddenly or develop gradually over time.
When someone with the condition hears noise, they may:
-- feel uncomfortable
-- cover their ears or try to get away from the noise
-- feel angry, tense, distressed, or anxious
-- experience pain – hyperacusis can be very painful for some people

Treatments for Hyperacusis
There are no specific medicines or operations that can treat hyperacusis, although treating any underlying cause may help resolve the problem. If there's no clear cause, specialist techniques to help reduce your sensitivity to noise may be recommended. These therapies are widely available privately, and may be available on the NHS for people with severe or persistent hyperacusis. They should only be carried out by someone specially trained in the correct techniques. Treatment may involve:

-- cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – this aims to help you explore and change the way you think about the troublesome noises to reduce distress, change your avoidance behaviour, and help you recover from your hyperacusis symptoms 

-- counselling and education – to support you and help you learn more about your hyperacusis

-- sound therapy (desensitisation) – this aims to help desensitise your hearing over several months, using special noise generators either placed in the room or in your ears (similar to hearing aids)

-- lifestyle changes – including learning relaxation techniques, listening to calming music or sounds, not avoiding noisy situations, and not using earplugs or muffs (these may make your ears more sensitive)