Hyperacusis: Understanding Sound Sensitivity and Medication Links

When a dishwasher or a door slam feels like a jackhammer, you might be dealing with hyperacusis, a condition where ordinary sounds are perceived as painfully loud. Also known as noise intolerance, it’s not just being sensitive—it’s your brain misfiring, turning harmless noise into physical discomfort. People with hyperacusis often avoid social places, wear earplugs constantly, or even quit jobs because of it. And while it’s sometimes tied to hearing loss or migraines, it can also be triggered by medications—something many doctors don’t check for.

Medication side effects, like those from certain antibiotics, antidepressants, or chemotherapy drugs, can damage the inner ear or alter how the brain processes sound. For example, high-dose aspirin, quinine, and some SSRIs have been linked to sudden onset hyperacusis. It’s not common, but when it happens, it hits hard. Auditory processing, how your brain interprets what your ears hear gets rewired, and suddenly, a whisper feels like a shout. This isn’t anxiety—it’s neurological. And it’s often misdiagnosed as stress or depression.

What makes hyperacusis tricky is that it doesn’t show up on a standard hearing test. You might hear perfectly well, but still feel like the world is too loud. Treatment usually involves sound therapy—gradual exposure to low-level noise to retrain the brain. But if a drug caused it, stopping or switching that medication might be the first real step toward relief. Some people find help with cognitive behavioral therapy, while others need hearing aids that filter out sharp frequencies. The key is figuring out the root cause: is it nerve damage? A side effect? Or something else entirely?

In the posts below, you’ll find real cases where medications led to unexpected hearing issues, how pharmacists catch these reactions before they escalate, and what to ask your doctor if you’re noticing sounds suddenly feel overwhelming. No fluff. Just what works—and what to watch out for.