© by Neil G. Bauman, Ph.D., October 2026 Loudness recruitment and loudness hyperacusis are two often-confused conditions. In order to help reduce the confusion between these two unrelated ear conditions I have written an easy-to-read, illustrated, yet reasonably comprehensive article to help you tell whether you have loudness recruitment, loudness hyperacusis, or both or neither […]
Recruitment & Hyperacusis
Hyperacusis and Other Sound Sensitivities—Here’s the Scoop
by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. © November, 2020 Being hypersensitive to sound is not particularly high on my list of enjoyable activities to put it mildly! When you are hypersensitive to sounds, you discover to your consternation that certain sounds, many sounds or all sounds are so loud that they make you wince, jump, […]
When You Have Hyperacusis, How Do You Know When Loud Sounds are “Ear-Damaging Loud” or Just “Hyperacusis-Loud”?
by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. A lady wrote, How can I tell when I’m just over-reacting to sound, or when I have actually been subjected to an acoustic trauma (which requires immediate treatment)? I never know, and as a result, I am never quite sure whether I should just wait it out or run to the […]
This Is Not Recruitment
by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. A lady wrote, I came across your website while researching the term ‘recruitment’ which the audiologist mentioned to me this week. She tested me and I have mild/moderate hearing loss. The reason I had hearing tested is because I have sensitivity to noise and also tinnitus (low drum/bass sound). I live […]
Recruitment from Hearing Loss Explained
Some people can’t wear hearing aids because of severe recruitment. Recruitment seems to be such a weird word for this problem. The word means “to enlist.” The dictionary doesn’t describe anything to do with hearing loss and hearing aids. So what really is recruitment and how did it get this strange name? This article explains what recruitment really is and why it bothers so many hard of hearing people.
Coping with Recruitment
by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. A lady explained: My audiologist says I have severe recruitment and hyperacusis—sound really hurts my ears. I’ve worn ear plugs most of my life, not so much to guard my hearing against sounds that would do more damage (though it’s common sense to wear ear plugs during those events that would […]