Hyperacusis

Hyperacusis is a health condition characterized by an over-sensitivity to any or certain frequenciesof sound (a 'collapsed tolerance to sound'). Related to tinnitus, hyperacusis can be acquired as a result of damage sustained to the hearing apparatus, or the inner ear. Though a rare condition, a common cause is overexposure to excessively high decibellevels of sound.

If no auditory trauma was experienced, hyperacusis can also come about due to other neurological causes, or to generally much lesser degrees as a result of extreme stress. Some patients with Addison's disease(or other endocrine disorders) may be extremely sensitive to sound and light and should avoid all stressful stimuli when symptoms flair.

Hyperacusis is also common in advanced lyme disease due to nerve inflamation and the neurotoxic nature of the spirochetal bacteria. If successfully treated, many lyme patients' noise tolerance returns to normal. Elevated levels of mercury, lead or other heavy metals may also contribute to hyperacusis in some individuals.fi:Hyperacusis fr:Hyperacousie nl:Hyperacusis

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It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperacusis Wikipedia article Hyperacusis.