Beyond the Auditory System: Sensory Processing in Decreased Sound Tolerance Disorders

This study aims to investigate the correlation between decreased sound tolerance disorders and sensory processing disorder, as well as the sensory systems that are affected when decreased sound tolerance disorders exist. The study included 315 individuals aged 18-35 with normal hearing and no neurological disorders. Participants completed the Decreased Sound Tolerance Disorder Scale (DSTS) and the Adult Sensory Processing Scale (ASPS). According to the DSTS, 278 individuals with decreased sound tolerance disorders were included as the study group, and 37 individuals without decreased sound tolerance were included as a control group. The DSTS includes 33 items assessing symptoms of hyperacusis, phonophobia, and misophonia. The ASPS consists of 48 items across 11 factors that assess the sensitivity of different sensory domains. The distribution of decreased sound tolerance disorders among the participants indicated that 113 participants (35.9%) had all three types of DSTs (triple DST), 85 participants (27.0%) had two types of DSTs (dual DST), 16 participants (5.1%) had hyperacusis only, 14 participants (4.4%) had phonophobia only, 50 participants (15.9%) had misophonia only, and 37 participants (11.7%) had no DSTs (non-DST). A moderately positive correlation was found between the total scores of the ASPS and hyperacusis ( r = 0.260, p < 0.001), and misophonia ( r = 0.348, p < 0.001) scores. Total ASPS scores were higher in those with misophonia compared to those without ( p < 0.05). The results of this study indicate that individuals with decreased sound tolerance may have difficulty in processing not only auditory but also visual, vestibular, proprioceptive, and tactile stimuli.