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Glite Dictionary
auditory hyperesthesia

auditory hyperesthesia

9.7
A condition of very sensitive hearing that makes normal sounds feel too loud
  • noun
  • /ɔːˈdɪtəri haɪpərɛsˈθiːziə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hiperestesia auditiva
  • People with auditory hyperesthesia may find ordinary sounds painfully loud or overwhelming.

Examples

  • Her doctor diagnosed her with auditory hyperesthesia after she reported discomfort from normal conversations.

  • Children suffering from auditory hyperesthesia often avoid noisy environments, such as crowded classrooms.

  • She was diagnosed with auditory hyperesthesia last year.

  • Many people with auditory hyperesthesia find it hard to concentrate.

  • Children suffering from auditory hyperesthesia often avoid noisy environments, such as crowded classrooms.

  • Her doctor diagnosed her with auditory hyperesthesia after she reported discomfort from normal conversations.

  • People with auditory hyperesthesia may find ordinary sounds painfully loud or overwhelming.

Synonyms

hyperacusis
vsauditory hyperesthesia
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A condition in which normal sounds seem too loud or painful

focuses on underlying nerve sensitivity causing unusually acute hearing rather than only loud perception
hyperacusia
vsauditory hyperesthesia
  • Specialized
9.9

An unusual sensitivity to normal sounds that makes them feel very loud or painful

expresses increased nerve sensitivity causing unusually acute hearing rather than extreme reaction

Antonyms

hypoacusis
  • Specialized
9.9

A partial loss of hearing that makes sounds quieter

How Sensitive

auditory hyperesthesia
  • Specialized
9.7
normal
∞ 1.0
hearing loss
13 2.7

Surface Forms

auditory hyperesthesia singular
auditory hyperesthesias plural

Morphology

auditory + hyperesthesia

The term is directly compositional: 'auditory' (= relating to hearing) modifies 'hyperesthesia' (hyper- = excessive; -esthesia = sensation), so the phrase literally denotes excessive sensitivity of hearing. This is morphologically transparent in principle, although 'hyperesthesia' is a medical/rare word that typical B1 learners likely would not know without specialised exposure.

Etymology

The name auditory hyperesthesia comes from two parts: auditory (about hearing) and hyperesthesia (literally 'too much feeling'). Think of hearing turned up so high that normal sounds hurt or overwhelm you, and that's why the name means 'an unusually strong sensitivity to sound'.