Some first develop hyperacusis in one ear, but in most cases both ears become affected.
Hyperacusis can come on slowly or suddenly.
Some patients say they developed hypersensitivity to sound over a period of time it becomes less and less effective. Others may come down with hyperacusis suddenly by attending a rock concert, firing a gun, air bag deployment in their car, fireworks or any extremely loud sound. Other causes include job related noise exposure, drugs, Lyme's disease, Meniere's, TMJ, head injury or postoperative surgery. The appearance of hyperacusis in some of these disorders may provide clues as to the cause of hyperacusis. Sometimes it disappears once the patient heals from the surgery, Meniere's goes into remission, or TMJ is resolved.