Sound Sensitivity: Understanding Hyperacusis, Triggers, and Medication Links

When everyday sounds like dishes clinking, a vacuum running, or even someone chewing become painful or unbearable, you're not just being picky—you might have sound sensitivity, a condition where normal environmental sounds feel too loud, sharp, or physically uncomfortable. Also known as hyperacusis, it’s not hearing loss—it’s your brain’s volume control that’s turned up too high. This isn’t rare. Thousands of people deal with it daily, often without knowing why. Some notice it after a loud concert. Others wake up one day and find their own voice feels too loud. And for some, it starts quietly, after beginning a new medication.

Hyperacusis, a form of sound sensitivity where even soft sounds cause discomfort or pain can be linked to neurological changes, migraines, autism, or head injuries. But it’s also tied to certain drugs. Medications like antibiotics, some types that affect the inner ear or nerve signaling, diuretics, used for blood pressure or fluid retention, which can alter electrolyte balance and impact hearing nerves, and even some antidepressants have been reported to trigger or worsen sound sensitivity. It’s not common, but it’s documented—and often missed because doctors don’t ask about it. If your ears feel raw after a normal conversation, or you start avoiding restaurants or family gatherings because of noise, it’s worth checking.

What makes sound sensitivity tricky is that it doesn’t show up on standard hearing tests. You might hear perfectly fine, but still feel like the world is screaming. That’s why it’s often confused with anxiety or stress. But the physical reaction is real: your nervous system is overreacting to sound signals. The good news? Many people improve with sound therapy, avoiding earplugs in daily life, and adjusting meds under a doctor’s care. You don’t have to live with it.

The posts below cover real cases and science-backed insights on how medications, nerve health, and daily habits connect to sound sensitivity. You’ll find what drugs might be behind your symptoms, how to talk to your pharmacist about it, and what non-drug approaches actually help. No fluff. Just clear, practical info from people who’ve been there and the experts who’ve studied it.