Tinnitus and Sound Sensitivity (Hyperacusis) Written by Dr. Adam Jencks

Why Anxiety Can Turn Tinnitus Into Sound Sensitivity (Hyperacusis)

Tinnitus and sound sensitivity often occur together. Many people notice that as their tinnitus becomes more distressing, everyday sounds begin to feel overwhelming, sharp, or even painful. This condition—known as hyperacusis—is not caused by damage to the ears themselves, but by changes in how the brain processes sound when anxiety and stress are present.

Understanding the neurological relationship between tinnitus, anxiety, and hyperacusis is an important step toward relief.

Limbic System Overactivity

The limbic system is responsible for emotion, fear, and threat detection. When tinnitus is perceived as intrusive or frightening, the limbic system can become chronically overactive.

Rather than treating sound as neutral information, the brain remains in a heightened state of alert. This increases emotional reactivity to sensory input and reduces the brain’s ability to regulate sound perception.

In short, tinnitus activates the brain’s alarm system—and once that alarm is stuck “on,” sound tolerance drops.

When Sounds Are Interpreted as Threats

With ongoing anxiety, the brain strengthens the connection between the auditory system and the limbic system. This increased auditory-limbic coupling causes normal, non-dangerous sounds to be misinterpreted as threats.

As a result:

• Everyday sounds feel unpredictable

• Anticipatory fear of sound develops

• Sound avoidance increases

• Sensitivity worsens over time

This explains why common noises—dishes, traffic, voices, or running water—can suddenly feel unbearable for someone with tinnitus.

Amplified Anxiety and Heightened Sound Sensitivity

The amygdala, the brain’s fear center, plays a major role in this process. When tinnitus is paired with anxiety:

• The amygdala amplifies sound-related fear

• Stress hormones such as cortisol increase

• The nervous system shifts into a constant fight-or-flight state

This heightened arousal makes the brain less able to filter auditory input, causing sounds to feel louder, sharper, and more intrusive than they actually are.

The Result: Hyperacusis

This neurological cascade ultimately leads to hyperacusis, a condition where everyday sounds are perceived as disproportionately loud, irritating, or even physically painful.

Hyperacusis is not a sign of permanent ear damage. It is a brain-based sensitivity driven by fear, stress, and altered sound processing. Because of this, it is also reversible with the right approach.

Why Education and Reassurance Are Critical

One of the most important steps in reducing hyperacusis is understanding that:

• Your ears are not broken

• Sound is not harming you

• Your brain can relearn safe sound processing

When fear decreases and the nervous system calms, sound tolerance can gradually improve.

A Realistic Conversation About Tinnitus Treatment

There is a lot of skepticism around tinnitus treatment—and understandably so. Many people are told “there’s nothing you can do,” or they are sold one-size-fits-all solutions that don’t address what is actually driving their symptoms.

Tinnitus is not the same for everyone. Anxiety, sleep quality, stress, sound exposure, medications, medical history, and nervous system health all play a role. Without a complete case history, it’s impossible to understand what may be triggering your tinnitus or making it significantly worse.

That’s why at Evergreen Tinnitus Relief, the first step is not treatment—it’s understanding.

Let’s Talk

If your tinnitus is bothersome, if you’ve been feeling more anxious than usual, or if you’ve noticed increasing sensitivity to sound, a free consultation can help identify what may be triggering your symptoms and keeping them stuck.

There are many factors that can worsen tinnitus, and without a complete case history, those drivers are often missed. Taking the time to understand the full picture is essential before any meaningful improvement can occur.

No gimmicks. No promises of a cure. Just a clear, evidence-based conversation focused on your unique situation.

Let’s get you relief today.