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Sound Therapy to Reduce Auditory Gain for Hyperacusis and Tinnitus
1VA RR&D National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, VA Portland Health Care System, OR.
American Journal of Audiology
|November 15, 2022
Summary
Sound therapy can reduce auditory gain, improving loudness tolerance for hyperacusis (increased sensitivity to sound). It may also help suppress tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Audiology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Hyperacusis, a common sound tolerance condition, causes discomfort or pain from everyday sounds.
- Hyperacusis and tinnitus frequently co-occur, suggesting a shared neural mechanism.
- Enhanced auditory gain is a leading hypothesized mechanism for both conditions.
Conclusions:
- Sound therapy is a viable desensitization method for hyperacusis.
- Enhanced auditory gain is a potential cause of tinnitus, though other mechanisms exist.
- Sound therapy shows long-term potential for tinnitus suppression, warranting further systematic research.
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