The AudioNotch Tinnitus Treatment Blog

Please note: the following information does not constitute professional medical advice, and is provided for general informational purposes only. Please speak to your doctor if you have tinnitus.

Hyperacusis is a disorder that causes a person to be oversensitive to certain volume ranges and frequencies of sounds. People who have this disorder may have trouble tolerating everyday sounds. This disorder is often caused by frequent exposure to loud noise. However, hyperacusis can be also be caused by an ear injury, head injury or adverse drug reaction.

Most people who have hyperacusis also suffer from tinnitus, which causes ringing in the ears. There are many celebrities with hyperacusis. Below is a list of famous people who have this disorder:

Stephin Merritt

Stephin Merritt is the lead singer of a band called The Magnetic Fields. He has also written many songs for the band. Merritt suffers from hyperacusis, and it has affected the way that the band performs. The Magnetic Fields typically performs with Acoustic Instruments and little to no percussion. Stephin Merrit also wears ear plugs while he is performing. Additionally, he is frequently seen putting his hand over his left ear while he is performing.

Melody Gardot

Melody Gardot is a songwriter and musician. In 2003, she was seriously injured when she was hit by a car while cycling. Her pelvis was broken in two places and she had spinal injuries. She had to re-learn how to perform basic tasks, such as brushing her teeth and walking.

Although she recovered, she now has hyperacusis as the result of her injuries. She started listening to soothing music after her accident because she could not tolerate anything above a whisper. However, like many other celebrities with hyperacusis, Melody has not let her condition get her down. She has released several albums and even been nominated for a Grammy.

Chris Singleton

Chris Singleton is a singer and song-writer from Ireland. He was diagnosed with hyperacusis back in 2005. He could not even tolerate everyday sounds because they were painfully loud to him. Singleton received hearing therapy after being diagnosed with his condition. He decided to delay the release of his debut album entitled “Twisted City” because of his condition. However, hearing therapy helped him overcome his condition.

Bobby Fischer

Bobby Fischer was a chess player who passed away in 2008. In fact, many people considered him to be one of the greatest chess players of all time. However, many people did not know that he was one of the many celebrities with hyperacusis. He reportedly could not concentrate on his game unless there was total silence.