TLDR; digestive enzymes have helped me with pain (*not cured*).

For the sake of not gatekeeping, and hoping this will find whoever it might be helpful for, I thought I'd share something that has VERY unexpectedly been *helpful* to me-- not a cure by any means, but helpful, enough to share on here. And who knows! Could be a "cure" or even more helpful to a milder case.

I would call myself a severe case (at best) of hyperacusis and noxacusis. Many health issues coincided with the onset of my ear issues, as seems the case for others. This has included gut issues (likely MCAS, SIBO, candida, and others or some combination thereof). I have been focusing on my gut issues as I have lost too much weight. Down to 85 lbs, which isn't good for my size.

I ended up buying Pure Formulas 'Digestive Enzymes Ultra' a few weeks ago to help my body absorb nutrients. It immediately started helping with that-- but also nox pain. (Who would think?! I sure didn't...) It hasn't eliminated it all, but it provides relief that is on par with, or maybe even more effective than, a PEA supplement that I have been taking (the only other supplement that has helped at all).

I take 3 capsules three times a day with each meal, and occasionally take one outside of meal times, especially after a noise exposure. I've also tried Source Naturals Essential Enzymes, which is basically the same formula, and has also been helpful. Ive also just started adding in Kepos brand colostrum, and I think that also might be mildly helpful.

Perhaps some kind of gut-brain link at play for some of us? Apparently 95% of the body’s serotonin is synthesized and stored in the gut. Serotonin can both turn down and turn up pain, essentially. So maybe the enzymes help modulate serotonin in the gut somehow? I haven't looked into this, or done much research at all, but I will be investigating further.

It’s been a long road, and I’m not out of the woods yet, but I wanted to share my progress and encourage people to keep hope alive 🫶

*Please note that this video contains birdsong and overhead planes that may be triggers for some people*

https://youtu.be/7N6nCSTSx8U?si=Lxlxm8bBJG0MBuBD

"The Scream" by Edvard Munch has always resonated with me on my hyperacusis journey. I mean, look at it—the figure is holding his ears, terrified. The physical upheaval he's experiencing—like pain hyperacusis—is so palpable. The world around him is like a loud whirlpool, getting swallowed up, which represents the collapse of order so many hyperacusis sufferers confront. The two figures in the background seem entirely unaffected. This terror belongs to the subject alone; the isolation is unbearable. I think this artwork is a perfect illustration of hyperacusis on many levels.

Click on the link to learn more about the history of "The Scream" and how it aligns with hyperacusis.

https://hyperacusiscentral.org/the-scream/

Hyperacusis Central has a new Discord server called "Quiet Riot!" I and others who have hyperacusis and its cousins (tinnitus, photophobia [light sensitivity], etc.) know what it's like to feel alone. Our goal is to help each other past that so we can find our Promised Lands, if possible, while having a rootin'-tootin' time doing it. 🤠

Here is what you can find in our community...

1. Support and socializing: Connect with others who truly understand.

2. Condition learning: Explore the different kinds of hyperacusis, tinnitus, photophobia, and visual snow.

3. The latest science: Channels for medical research and news.

4. Off-label treatment options: Information, medical studies, and open discussions.

5. Links to popular Hyperacusis Central pieces and videos about: Patient stories and success stories, disability benefits, what our scientific advisor, Dr. Kelly Jahn, is accomplishing in the research field, etc.

6. Fun and leisure: Talk about hobbies and interests, and play some games, like Pokémon, Dragonball, Counting, and Fishing!

Our server is highly accessible with text-only participation for those who need quiet. 🤫 So go ahead and have a good time—it'll be a riot!

Click below to join...

https://hyperacusiscentral.org/quiet-riot-hyperacusis-centrals-official-discord/

Hi!

I’ve had noxacusis/pain hyperacusis for about six months after an exposure to loud noise in December 2025. I’m most sensitive to digital audio. I can tolerate someone speaking to me in-person without issue unless their voice is especially loud/deep/close to me; but a human voice (or any sound) through headphones or a speaker quickly triggers pain/discomfort, even on lowest volume settings or with the speaker several feet away. Someone speaking into a mic live causes more discomfort than sans-mic, but less than pure-digital.

Of the doctors I’ve seen so far (neurologist, ENT, OT), none have known how to address this. (I’m on amitryptline, which helps somewhat.) I’ve seen posts here mention digital audio sensitivity, so wanted to ask some questions, in case anyone with a similar issue has found useful info/resources.

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-Have you found a specific speaker, pair of headphones, or other piece of equipment or method of listening, that made digital audio more tolerable for you? The best I’ve gotten so far is alternating ears on a Jabra Biz headset (when I’m unable to only use captions).

-Do you know *what* makes the sound of a human voice (digital) so different (to our perception) from a human voice (live)? Or, do you know who or where I might be able to find this info? I know there’s some difference in frequencies but am struggling to track down clear specifics.

-Are there any methods you have successfully used for live phone call captions? All the apps I can find are (understandably) for Deaf/HoH people, and so legally require users to have certified hearing loss. Windows Live Captions usually works for calls through my work computer, but I don't think it’s an option for my Android (BigMe) phone.

-Similarly, any methods for successful transcription of voicemails? This seems to be a feature restricted to certain cell providers, none of which offer services in my area.

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Thanks for reading, if you have!

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You know the drill if you live with hyperacusis. Bad news is the norm. We’re often told we’re exaggerating by friends or family and that we need to “tough it out.” Even the medical community can’t seem to agree on what hyperacusis is (it gets confused with misophonia), or how common it is, and routinely brush us off.

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The good news is that a new study, co-authored by Hyperacusis Central’s scientific advisor Dr. Kelly Jahn, is trying to fix these problems. The researchers are introducing a brand new framework called “Sound Hypersensitivity Phenotypes.” By establishing “Sound Hypersensitivity Disorder” as a distinct medical syndrome, they’re drawing a hard line between mild sound annoyance and the kind of life-altering pain we deal with every day.

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You can read the full study on our website by clicking below.

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https://hyperacusiscentral.org/a-new-study-co-authored-by-our-scientific-advisor-dr-kelly-jahn-sound-hypersensitivity-phenotypes-and-sound-hypersensitivity-disorder/

How does hyperacusis change your entire life? In his new video, Shane opens up about how severe sensitivity to high-pitched sounds turned his world upside down. Click below to watch it. (Closed captioning is available.)

https://hyperacusiscentral.org/shanes-hyperacusis-story/

My hyperacusis and tinnitus are so severe that I can't use standard microwaves and ovens. The beeps, sizzling, and whirring cause pain and louder ringing, even with hearing protection.

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Read the full post to learn how a remote-controlled "smart" microwave restored my cooking abilities and transformed my bland, tiring diet.

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https://hyperacusiscentral.org/hyperacusis-hacks-microwaves/

I’m working on a video concept and want to know what you would have told yourself one year into your journey. I’m specifically looking to hear from people with pain hyperacusis. Thanks!

Click on the link to learn about a study where hyperacusis was suppressed in mice.

https://hyperacusiscentral.org/hyperacusis-was-suppressed-in-mice-in-recent-study/

I made this video to help friends and family of those suffering from hyperacusis understand what their loved one may be going through, and ways that they can be supportive to someone experiencing this very difficult condition.

https://youtu.be/Mn6XJFNjC3g?si=kneMbCNqUOYpm-rJ

Bonjour,

Pour les personnes qui souffrent de noxacousie, et plus particulièrement les étudiants : comment faites-vous pour aller en soirée, aux journées d’intégration, ou simplement dans des bars entre potes ?

J’ai de la noxacousie depuis deux ans, avec une évolution globalement négative. Pourtant, il y a deux mois, ça commençait enfin à aller mieux : je n’avais presque plus d’acouphènes, je pouvais rire fort, écouter un peu de musique avec des protections quand j’allais chez le kiné par exemple, puisqu’il met la radio. Au début, ça me faisait énormément souffrir, mais avec le temps cela avait fini par améliorer ma tolérance au son.

Seulement, j’y suis allée une fois sans boules Quies. Il y avait du rock, et là j’ai fait une rechute très brutale : oreilles bouchées, acouphènes revenus fortement, impossibilité de parler, hypervigilance au bruit, constamment avec casque et protections… Pendant un mois, ça a été l’enfer. Là seulement, je commence à pouvoir rire un peu de nouveau, j’ai moins de vertiges, je peux retourner chez le dentiste et tolérer les bruits de voitures, mais je souffre encore beaucoup. Je pense que ça finira peut-être par se calmer dans trois mois.

Mais du coup je me demande : comment faites-vous pour les soirées ? Dans deux ans, j’irai à la fac, et j’aurai forcément envie de me forcer un minimum à avoir une vie sociale. Je serai probablement à un stade où mes oreilles iront considérablement mieux, surtout maintenant que je connais mieux les astuces et habitudes qui m’avaient permis d’aller mieux il y a deux mois — alors que je n’étais même pas encore au maximum de ma récupération.

Mais l’idée des soirées me terrorise. Les grosses enceintes, ce n’est pas la petite musique du kiné… Même avec des protections, j’ai l’impression que mes oreilles vont “exploser” en quelques secondes, voire que mon tympan pourrait se percer. En même temps, je me dis que ça vaut peut-être le coup de faire quelques soirées dans l’année pour réussir à créer des liens et vivre un minimum mon année étudiante. Mais j’ai peur que ça détruise tous mes progrès, voire aggrave définitivement mon état. Je n’ai pas été en soirée depuis très longtemps.

Ma vie est devenue un désastre à cause de ça. Je n’ai pas de phobie sociale ni rien du tout : mon seul problème, ce sont mes oreilles.

Pour l’instant, j’arrive à aller au restaurant ou en terrasse. Ce qui me fait véritablement rechuter, c’est la musique. Quand j’étais plus stabilisée, je portais mes protections (casque 3M + boules Quies en cire) toute la journée chez moi pour les bruits de vaisselle, etc. Mais j’enlève les boules Quies quand il n’y a pas de bruit, sinon ça concentre les acouphènes. Dehors, je ne porte rien en permanence ; s’il y a des travaux ou un bruit fort, je me bouche simplement les oreilles. C’est ce qui me permet progressivement de re-tolérer certains sons.

Qu’en pensez-vous ?

J’ai aussi entendu parler de l’opération de renforcement des fenêtres rondes et ovales aux États-Unis, mais une opération me fait peur. Avant ça, je testerai peut-être un antidépresseur dont certaines personnes parlent, mais ça m’inquiète aussi.

Mes symptômes sont : acouphènes évolutifs, oreilles bouchées, douleurs aux bruits qui continuent même dans le silence, brûlures au visage, douleurs des muscles du visage et de l’ATM, vertiges extrêmes, fatigue intense dans le mois suivant le traumatisme, puis légère stabilisation à partir d’un mois.

Et en plus de ça, je dois bientôt me faire opérer des fémurs pour des ostéotomies de dérotation fémorale.