Quick hyperacusis screening and insights from extended high-frequency audiometry, speech-in-noise perception and...

Area of Science:

• Audiology and Hearing Science
• Neuroscience
• Psychology

Background:

• Hyperacusis is a hearing disorder defined by reduced sound tolerance, with diagnostic methods currently lacking consensus.
• Existing diagnostic approaches struggle to integrate subjective patient complaints with objective measures of hearing impairment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a rapid screening tool for hyperacusis utilizing a visual analog scale (VAS).
• To integrate audiological assessments to delineate the physiological and emotional aspects of hyperacusis-related sound discomfort.
• To explore the relationship between hyperacusis and specific audiological findings, including extended high-frequency hearing and speech-in-noise perception.

Main Methods:

• A visual analog scale (VAS) with a 6/10 threshold was employed for hyperacusis screening.
• Diagnosis validation was performed using the Hyperacusis Questionnaire.
• Audiological evaluations included extended high-frequency audiometry and speech-in-noise tests.
• An assessment of natural sounds was conducted to identify triggers and analyze acoustic characteristics, including the harmonic-to-noise ratio (HNR).

Main Results:

• The VAS screening achieved a sensitivity of 1 and a specificity of 0.94 in differentiating hyperacusis from non-hyperacusis participants.
• Hyperacusis participants exhibited elevated hearing thresholds in extended high frequencies and diminished speech-in-noise perception, suggesting a link to hidden hearing loss.
• Participants with hyperacusis reported higher emotional arousal when exposed to natural sounds, with the harmonic-to-noise ratio identified as a key acoustic factor.

Conclusions:

• The proposed VAS combined with audiological and emotional assessments offers a valuable screening and diagnostic approach for hyperacusis.
• Findings support the connection between hyperacusis, peripheral auditory damage (hidden hearing loss), and heightened emotional responses to sound.
• Complementary diagnostic measures are essential due to the varied nature of hyperacusis profiles, advocating for broad screening in noise-exposed populations.