What is hyperacusis?

Hyperacusis refers to an excessive sensitivity to normal environmental sounds. Individuals with this condition may experience discomfort or pain in response to sounds that do not typically bother most people. This heightened sensitivity can lead to significant distress and difficulties in daily functioning, as everyday noises become overwhelming.

Understanding hyperacusis is essential, especially in contexts such as music therapy, where auditory experiences play a vital role in treatment. People with hyperacusis might require special considerations to ensure that therapeutic interventions are comfortable and beneficial for them.

The other options do not accurately capture the nature of hyperacusis. An inability to hear certain frequencies suggests a hearing loss rather than sensitivity. A normal sensitivity to sound signifies typical auditory function, which does not align with the characteristics of hyperacusis. Lastly, while hyperacusis can affect one's experience of music, it is not fundamentally a disorder related to music appreciation; instead, it results in an altered sensory response to sound in general.