Warning Signs Of Bell's Palsy

Increased Sound Sensitivity

Increased sound sensitivity describes when ordinary sounds seem louder than usual and cause discomfort or pain. Common sounds that can be bothersome to affected individuals include kitchen appliances, car engines, loud conversations, and running faucets. This increased sound sensitivity is a result of some mechanism causing the brain to receive exaggerated or confused sound vibrations from the ear. When the facial nerve becomes compressed because it is too swollen to pass through the skull canal without interference, the stapedius muscle can become paralyzed. The stapedius muscle is a very small muscle located in the middle ear that is directly connected to the stapes bone. Sound waves from everyday sounds enter a healthy ear and cause the stapes bone to vibrate. The stapedius muscle helps stabilize the stapes bone when sound waves from loud noises enter the ear and cause intense vibrations. When this muscle does not function properly due to Bell's palsy, the patient will experience hyperacusis.

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