phonophobia

noun

pho·​no·​pho·​bia ˌfō-nə-ˈfō-bē-ə How to pronounce phonophobia (audio)
1
: an intolerance of or hypersensitivity to sound
Migraine is an episodic disorder manifested by headache accompanied by anorexia, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia.Sid Gilman
2
dated
a
: fear of sounds and especially loud, sudden sounds
b
: fear of hearing one's own voice
phonophobic adjective
During the [migraine] attack, which lasts from hours to a day or more, the patient is frequently photophobic and phonophobic and seeks relief in a quiet dark environment or through sleep. Jack J. Kanski and Brad Bowling

Word History

Etymology

phono- + -phobia

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of phonophobia was in 1853

Dictionary Entries Near phonophobia

Cite this Entry

“Phonophobia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phonophobia. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

phonophobia

noun
pho·​no·​pho·​bia ˌfō-nə-ˈfō-bē-ə How to pronounce phonophobia (audio)
1
: pathological fear of sound or of speaking aloud
2
: an intolerance or hypersensitivity to sound
Migraine is an episodic disorder manifested by headache accompanied by anorexia, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia.Sid Gilman, The New England Journal of Medicine
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