Phonophobia

From WikiMD.com - Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Dr.Prab.jpg

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Phonophobia
Firecreaker right site bright.jpg
Synonyms N/A
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Fear of loud sounds, anxiety, panic attacks
Complications Social isolation, stress, depression
Onset Can occur at any age
Duration Varies, can be chronic
Types N/A
Causes Trauma, genetic predisposition, neurological disorders
Risks Exposure to loud environments, migraine, autism spectrum disorder
Diagnosis Based on clinical history and symptoms
Differential diagnosis Hyperacusis, Misophonia
Prevention Avoidance of loud noises, use of ear protection
Treatment Cognitive behavioral therapy, medication, sound therapy
Medication N/A
Prognosis Varies, often manageable with treatment
Frequency Unknown, varies by population
Deaths N/A


Phonophobia, also known as ligyrophobia, is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by an abnormal and persistent fear of loud sounds. This condition can cause significant distress and impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

Individuals with phonophobia may experience a range of symptoms when exposed to loud noises, such as:

These symptoms can occur in response to everyday sounds such as fireworks, thunder, or even loud music.

Causes[edit | edit source]

The exact cause of phonophobia is not well understood, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. Some potential causes include:

  • Genetic predisposition to anxiety disorders
  • Traumatic experiences involving loud noises
  • Hyperacusis, a condition where normal sounds are perceived as excessively loud

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Diagnosis of phonophobia typically involves a thorough clinical assessment by a mental health professional. This may include:

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment for phonophobia often involves a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Common approaches include:

See also[edit | edit source]

WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD