What’s that noise?! Understanding tinnitus, misophonia, and hyperacusis

Sponsored feature | Trevor Chapman, director and lead audiologist at angli-EAR

Have you ever heard a ringing or buzzing in your ears when there’s no sound around? Or maybe there’s a noise that makes you feel irritable or even anxious? These aren’t just things that happen sometimes – they can actually be symptoms of conditions like tinnitus, misophonia, or hyperacusis. And trust me, they’re more common than you might think.

Tinnitus is probably the one most people are familiar with. It’s that annoying ringing, buzzing, or whooshing sound that seems to come out of nowhere, and it can really wear you down over time. It’s different for everyone – some people hardly notice it, while others find it hard to ignore. While there’s no one-size-fits-all cure for tinnitus, there are ways to manage it and improve your quality of life.

Misophonia is another one that often surprises people. It’s when certain everyday sounds, like chewing, breathing, or even the clicking of a pen, trigger strong emotional reactions – like anger, anxiety, or even panic. It’s not just a matter of not liking certain noises; it’s a real, involuntary response that can make life pretty tough.

And then there’s hyperacusis, which is when regular sounds seem way too loud or uncomfortable. For someone with hyperacusis, a normal conversation or the hum of an air conditioner can feel overwhelming. It’s not just a sensitivity to sound – it’s an intensity that can make daily life feel stressful and hard to navigate.

If any of this sounds familiar, I’d love for you to join me for our next angli-EAR Hearing Academy talk, ‘What’s That Noise?!’, on 26 April. I’ll be talking about these conditions – what they are, how they can affect people, and the support that’s available. It’s a great chance to learn more, ask questions, and find out how we can help.

The talk will be at 10:30am at our clinic in Great Shelford. If you want to know more or reserve your spot, just head to angliearhearing.co.uk. I really hope to see you there!