MISOPHONIA & HYPERACUSIS

Compassionate Care for Your Hearing Health

When you’re in the care of Arizona Balance & Hearing Aids, you’ll receive personalized care for your ears and hearing, including sound sensitivities such as misophonia and hyperacusis in Phoenix and Gilbert, AZ. As experienced audiologists, we understand that your symptoms are real and our goal is to ensure your hearing comfort and optimization.

Arizona Balance & Hearing Aids is one of only a handful of clinics around the country that is equipped and experienced in treating misophonia and hyperacusis. Our team of experts is highly qualified to address the misophonia symptoms and is uniquely poised to help with professional misophonia treatment, as well as sound therapy for hyperacusis.

What Is Misophonia?

Misophonia is an abnormally strong negative reaction to specific sounds, or “triggers” like eating, chewing, lip-smacking, licking, breathing, whistling, or the sound of certain speech sounds, as well as sounds such as clicking or tapping. This negative reaction often results in anger, distress, and even rage. Body sounds can also trigger misophonia, which perhaps the most famous person associated with misophonia, Dr. Pawell Jastreboff, called “somatosounds.”

Usually, misophonia develops in childhood or early adolescence but can occur in adulthood as well. It routinely begins suddenly after some emotionally significant initial incident associated with a first “trigger” sound, and environmental situation accompanied by a strong emotional event.

Misophonia can occur as a secondary symptom that accompanies tinnitus or hyperacusis, which is often associated with auditory damage or head trauma. Misophonia symptoms can also exist as secondary to multi-sensory sensitivity problems displayed in early childhood in more complex neurological conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder.

What Is Hyperacusis?

Hyperacusis is an abnormally strong and negative reaction to sound or an inordinate loudness of sound that other people tolerate well. The sounds can be soft, medium, or loud. It may cause distress, fear, or even pain to the person experiencing it. ​ It is believed that hyperacusis occurs because of hyperactivity within the hearing system.

The auditory system provides an automatic gain or volume control, modifying its sensitivity at both peripheral and central levels. Consequently, when a person is normally exposed to even a low level of sound, the signal is amplified by the outer hair cell system by up to 60 dB. If mechanisms controlling this gain modification are producing higher levels of amplification when it is not needed, then overstimulation occurs within the auditory system resulting in a perception of sound as abnormally loud, even painful.

  • Becky H.
    The technology that ABHA used changed my hearing experience greatly!!
    Becky H.
  • Anne B.
    They are so helpful, knowledgeable and enjoyable to work with!
    Anne B.
  • Jan P.
    As always, I received the best customer service from ABHA.
    Jan P.
  • Dan M.
    Every time I have come to this office, they have been very friendly and helpful!!
    Dan M.
  • Gabor V.
    ABHA cares about you and obviously love what they do.
    Gabor V.
  • Ali K.
    I had a great experience at my first appointment yesterday. I was treated extremely well, felt very comfortable with the entire staff, left feeling confident with my treatment plan, did not feel confused about anything regarding price or billing, or insurance. I walked out with my new hearing aids and wish I wouldn’t have waited so long to get treatment. They are practically invisible, very comfortable, and super easy to use. I’m happy!
    Ali K.
  • Tami Jackson
    Excellent care received! This company has gone out of its way to make sure every need of mine is met down to supplying batteries if needed for hearing aids. I feel very well informed about getting hearing aids and what options are available to me. Information and literature were even mailed to my home. Financing has also been addressed. Best experience yet! Thank you.
    Tami Jackson
  • Andi Cummins
    I am thrilled with the service I received from everyone who is employed there…Cammile the physical therapist was very knowledgeable and explained everything… I am sorry that I did not go to see her first… I highly recommend to anybody with a hearing issue.
    Andi Cummins
  • Claudia Alarcon
    I must say congratulations! Since the first phone call, I had a great experience. They have excellent customer service, answer the phone right away without any automated 15-minute wait. I had to contact them again with questions a couple of extra times and they were very helpful and efficient. The appointment was for my toddler son. These are COVID times- so they did a video call first to go over the paperwork and ask additional questions- since when you do the hearing test- you just go directly to the hearing test area. We paid over the phone as well. My husband and I went to the appointment with our son. Dr. Susan Schmidt and the other audiology specialists were great with my son and tried to do it as easily as possible. They did their best at trying to distract him and entertain him. I totally recommend this place.
    Claudia Alarcon
  • Judy Poel
    I came to Arizona Balance and Hearing because I was experiencing positional vertigo. I was treated by Dr. Lambert and with just a few sessions I found great relief for my issue. The staff is friendly and courteous.
    Judy Poel
  • Joe
    The ABHA care providers are real PRO's. Their thorough evaluation and initial report on my vertigo issues impressed my other providers and me too! They didn't dumb it down. They obviously assumed they were dealing with a thinking person who wanted it all, not the oversimplified version.
    Joe
  • Maria Vaughn
    I had a series of tests done at ABHA which helped my doctors diagnosed what to do next for my vertigo problem. They are very professional as well as friendly and accommodating. Jordan, the Fellow, gave precise and clear instructions throughout the testing process, and afterward, explaining all the results. Dr. Susan Schmidt made sure everything was done well each step of the way. Dr. Camille Lambert’s Physical Therapy includes not only instruction, but reasons for doing that exercise, and what it will help. She’s answered my questions thoroughly and clearly. She’s been encouraging making the experience even more effective. I believe I’ve received the best care!
    Maria Vaughn
  • Penny Pfaelzer
    Everyone here is so professional and caring. Clemente explains everything and Miller makes sure clients are happy. The docs are the best! My husband's hearing aids are our lifesaver and the group at ABHA has made our lives easier.
    Penny Pfaelzer
  • Alfredo Alvarez
    Excellent place for your hearing, or lack of it…The personnel is knowledgeable, and explain everything to you, you can have a good understanding of hearing loss. Thanks for your dedication to improving our hearing!
    Alfredo Alvarez
  • Bill Borenstein
    They were friendly, fast, convenient, reasonable, and thorough. I highly recommend.
    Bill Borenstein
  • Jayson M.
    I came here to get my ears cleaned, and was in and out in 10 minutes. Staff was super nice and overall a great experience. They get my highest recommendation.
    Jayson M.
  • R. Chapman
    Very pleased from walking into the front door to the doctor's office. Excellent customer service. All questions were addressed. This is my second pair of hearing aids. I really like that all my concerns are met. I would highly recommend and have referred customers to go to Arizona & Balance & Hearing.
    R. Chapman
  • Amanda Schneider
    To begin, Miller scheduled my husband and me for an appointment. My husband was scheduled the same day! I was scheduled within 48 hours of my initial contact. The atmosphere of the office is professional, yet relaxed. My appointment was with Jordan. She was very patient with me. She really educated me about hearing. She explained how the hearing aids help my brain. Did you know…In a study that tracked 639 adults for nearly 12 years, Johns Hopkins expert Frank Lin, M.D., Ph. D, and his colleagues found that mild hearing loss doubled dementia risk. Moderate loss tripled risk, and people with severe hearing impairment were five times more likely to develop dementia. I could go on…the office and employees were terrific!
    Amanda Schneider
  • Gabor Vajda
    Visiting ABHA is always a pleasant experience. It is a great welcoming environment. They support you and help you make the right decision. Christine is absolutely wonderful. Knowledgeable and caring.
    Gabor Vajda
  • Flannery Diehl
    This establishment offers only the best in audiological services. I wanted the best and fortunately, we have them here in Phoenix. I am grateful for their care.
    Flannery Diehl
  • Harry M.
    Thanks for making this whole process wonderful.
    Harry M.

The reviews listed are from actual patients of Arizona Balance & Hearing Aids. Individual results may vary. Reviews are not claimed to represent results for everyone.

What To Expect At Your First Visit

Regain Your Independence And Improve The Quality Of Your Life
  • We Will Carefully Listen To Your Concerns & Goals
  • Thorough Explanation Of Our Process
  • Comprehensive Hearing Evaluation
  • Custom Treatment Plan
  • Free Copy Of Dr. Day’s Book, “Re-engage With Life & Family ”