E2 ModerateModerate confidencePEM not requiredCross-SectionalPeer-reviewedReviewed
Characteristics of hyperacusis in the general population.
Paulin, Johan, Andersson, Linus, Nordin, Steven · Noise & health · 2016 · DOI
Quick Summary
This study looked at how common sound sensitivity (hyperacusis) is in the general population and what characteristics people with this condition share. Researchers surveyed thousands of people and found that sound sensitivity often occurs alongside other conditions like ME/CFS, anxiety, depression, and fibromyalgia. People with sound sensitivity tend to avoid loud environments and may seek medical help for their symptoms.
Why It Matters
ME/CFS patients frequently report sound sensitivity as a debilitating symptom. This study identifies hyperacusis as commonly comorbid with ME/CFS and other conditions, suggesting shared pathophysiological mechanisms or risk factors that deserve further investigation and may inform treatment approaches.
Observed Findings
- Hyperacusis was associated with older age, female sex, and higher education levels.
- Common comorbidities included ME/CFS, PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, fibromyalgia, IBS, migraine, tinnitus, and hearing impairment.
- Individuals with hyperacusis frequently avoided sound sources and sought medical attention for their symptoms.
- Sound avoidance and environmental control were common behavioral responses.
Inferred Conclusions
- Hyperacusis is associated with multiple chronic conditions, suggesting shared or overlapping pathophysiology.
- The comorbidity patterns suggest that hyperacusis-related characteristics may be either risk factors for or consequences of these co-occurring conditions.
- Future research should investigate directional relationships between hyperacusis and comorbid conditions.
Remaining Questions
- Does hyperacusis develop before, after, or concurrently with ME/CFS and other comorbid conditions?
- What are the shared biological mechanisms linking hyperacusis with conditions like ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and anxiety disorders?
- Are there effective interventions that address both hyperacusis and associated comorbidities?
What This Study Does Not Prove
This study does not establish whether hyperacusis causes the comorbid conditions, results from them, or shares common underlying mechanisms. The cross-sectional design means temporal relationships cannot be determined. Self-reported hyperacusis may not be clinically equivalent to physician-diagnosed cases.
Tags
Symptom:FatigueSensory Sensitivity
Method Flag:Exploratory OnlyMixed Cohort
Metadata
- DOI
- 10.4103/1463-1741.189244
- PMID
- 27569405
- Review status
- Editor reviewed
- Evidence level
- Single-study or moderate support from human research
- Last updated
- 12 April 2026
About the PEM badge: “PEM required” means post-exertional malaise was an explicit required diagnostic criterion for participant inclusion in this study — not that PEM was studied, observed, or discussed. Studies using criteria that do not require PEM (e.g. Fukuda, Oxford) are tagged “PEM not required”. How the atlas works →
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