How to Pronounce Hyperacusis
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Hyperacusis Pronunciation
hy-per-ah-KYOO-sis
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
hy
per
ah
KYOO
stress here
sis
5 syllables
What is Hyperacusis?
An abnormal sensitivity or intolerance to ordinary environmental sounds that most people tolerate without difficulty, causing significant discomfort or pain. It frequently co-exists with tinnitus and can result from inner ear damage, neurological disorders, or post-viral conditions.
Questions About Hyperacusis
How do you pronounce hyperacusis?
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Hyperacusis is pronounced hy-per-ah-KYOO-sis. Say it like "HIGH-per-uh-KOO-sis," with the stress on the third syllable (KYOO). The first two syllables flow quickly together, then you pause slightly before hitting that stressed KOO sound.
Which syllable do you stress when saying hyperacusis?
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The stressed syllable is KYOO, which is the third syllable in the word. A common mistake is stressing the first syllable (HIGH) or the second syllable (PER) instead—but the emphasis should fall on that KOO sound in the middle of the word.
How do you break hyperacusis into syllables?
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Hyperacusis breaks into five syllables: hy-per-ah-cu-sis. When you say it naturally, the syllables flow as HIGH-per-uh-KOO-sis, with a slight pause after the stressed KYOO syllable.
What do the word parts in hyperacusis mean?
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Hyperacusis comes from two Greek roots: "hyper" means "over" or "excessive," and "acusis" comes from "akouein," which means "to hear." Put together, the word literally means "over-hearing" or excessive hearing sensitivity.
What does hyperacusis mean in plain English?
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Hyperacusis means an extreme sensitivity to everyday sounds—noises that don't bother most people feel uncomfortably loud or painful to someone with this condition. It's like having the volume dial turned up too high for normal environmental sounds.
What are some related medical words that share the same root as hyperacusis?
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Words like "acuity" (sharpness or clarity of hearing or vision) and "acoustic" (relating to sound) share similar roots with hyperacusis. You'll also see the "hyper" prefix in other medical terms like "hyperactive" (excessively active) and "hypertension" (high blood pressure).
Can you use hyperacusis in a simple sentence?
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Sure! Here's an example: "After her illness, she developed hyperacusis, which made even normal conversation volume feel uncomfortably loud." This sentence shows how the word is used to describe a condition involving sound sensitivity.
What's a common mispronunciation of hyperacusis?
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People sometimes say "hy-per-ah-KYOO-sis" by stressing the wrong syllable, like "HIGH-per-ah-kyoo-SIS" (stressing the last syllable) or "HIGH-per-AH-kyoo-sis" (stressing the second syllable). Remember: the stress belongs on KYOO, the third syllable.