Summary
After Charlie Puth revealed he has hyperacusis, more people are asking what sound sensitivity really means. This article explores the condition, its causes, and how Canadians can access support and manage symptoms.
When Charlie Puth recently shared that he lives with a heightened sensitivity to sound, describing how everyday noises hit him at what feels like twice the normal volume, it sparked a wave of curiosity online. For many, it was the first time hearing the term hyperacusis. But for those who experience it, the condition is anything but new, and more common than most people assume.
What is hyperacusis, exactly?
Hyperacusis is defined by researchers as a reduced tolerance to sounds that are perceived as normal by most people, or that the person themselves previously tolerated without difficulty. Noises that most people barely register, like dishes clinking, a car engine, or even ordinary conversation, can feel overwhelming, painful, or deeply distressing.
It’s often confused with misophonia (an emotional reaction to specific trigger sounds, like chewing) or phonophobia (a fear of loud sounds), but hyperacusis is more physical in nature. Both conditions may reflect the brain’s over-compensation for reduced input from the ear, essentially the central auditory system turning up its own “gain” to compensate for reduced peripheral input, making normal sounds register as painfully loud.
What causes sound sensitivity?
There isn’t one single cause. Hyperacusis can be linked to exposure to loud noise (concerts, construction, headphones at high volume), head injuries or migraines, neurological conditions, and anxiety and stress.
Tinnitus, the perception of ringing or noise without an external source, and hyperacusis are closely intertwined clinically. Nearly half of tinnitus sufferers report some degree of hyperacusis, while most people with hyperacusis also have tinnitus.
How common is it?
The prevalence of hyperacusis in adults is estimated at around 9%, though the true number is likely higher given how difficult it is to self-diagnose.The condition spans all ages: in children and adolescents, studies have found the prevalence of hyperacusis ranges from roughly 3% to 17%, though estimates vary considerably depending on study design and population.
A Canadian perspective
Hearing-related conditions are far more prevalent in Canada than many people realize. According to Statistics Canada, approximately three in five Canadian adults, or 60%, have some form of hearing health problem, including hearing loss, tinnitus, or both.
Access to care can also depend on where you live. Audiology services are available across the country, but wait times and coverage differ by province. Resources like Canadian Hearing Services and the Hearing Health Foundation offer education, support, and guidance for those navigating symptoms. Here’s what to do if you’re experiencing hearing loss in Canada.
Why it’s often misunderstood
Because hyperacusis isn’t visible, it’s frequently dismissed or misinterpreted. Someone avoiding loud environments might be seen as overly “sensitive” or antisocial, when in reality they’re managing a very real neurological response. Puth has described having to circle the block before entering a hotel if he knows a large crowd is inside, and wearing a nausea patch because overwhelming sounds can make him physically sick. His openness is helping normalize conversations around hearing health, something experts say is long overdue.
How to cope with hyperacusis
There is no single cure, but several evidence-based approaches can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Gradual sound exposure (desensitization): Avoiding all noise can actually worsen sensitivity over time. Sound therapy for hyperacusis requires listening to low-level sounds for extended periods to encourage habituation, with gradual increases in level and duration over time and positive reinforcement from a clinician.
Sound therapy: Research supports sound therapy as a method of desensitization for hyperacusis, with evidence from both animal and human studies that it can reduce neural hyperactivity and increase loudness tolerance.However, there is currently no consensus on exactly which form of sound therapy works best, and this has been highlighted as a priority area for future research.
Protect, but don’t overprotect: Hearing protection can be helpful in genuinely loud environments, but routine use of earplugs may increase central auditory sensitivity over time and worsen the condition. Consult an audiologist before making hearing protection a daily habit.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT is generally considered the treatment with the strongest research evidence for sound-related conditions, based mainly on randomized controlled trials. It can help address the anxiety and maladaptive thought patterns that often amplify the distress caused by hyperacusis.
Manage stress and anxiety: Because the brain plays a key role in amplifying sound perception, relaxation techniques and stress management can make a meaningful difference.
Seek professional support: An audiologist or hearing specialist can assess your symptoms and help build a personalized plan. Management is often an interdisciplinary effort involving audiologists, otolaryngologists, and mental health professionals.
What does treatment cost in Canada?
In Canada, coverage for hyperacusis-related care varies depending on where you live.
However, more specialized services, like detailed audiology assessments, sound therapy, and counselling, often aren’t fully covered and may require out-of-pocket payment or private insurance.
For those who need devices like sound generators or hearing aids, partial funding may be available through provincial programs, depending on eligibility.
Hyperacusis is more than just “sensitive hearing.” It’s a complex condition that can affect daily life in profound ways.
As more public figures like Charlie Puth speak openly about it, awareness is growing, and that matters. If everyday sounds feel overwhelming, you’re not imagining it, and you’re not alone.
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