Hyperacusis
Conditions
Brief summary
This study focuses on patients with a primary complaint of hyperacusis. Hyperacusis has been defined as 'abnormally reduced tolerance to sound'. It shows a high comorbidity with tinnitus, the perception of sound in the absence of a sound source. For the period of one month, hyperacusis and tinnitus severity and exposure to sounds will be evaluated by use of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) in all participants. A novel approach to assessments, EMA prompts participants during their daily life to answer short questionnaires, increasing ecological validity and minimizing the risk for recall and memory biases. At a randomized time point during the one-month period, participants will individually receive a single psychoeducation session (1h) delivered by an experienced audiologist. The goal of the study is to investigate if the psychoeducation session leads to an increase in exposure to sound and a decrease in hyperacusis severity.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALPsychoeducation
The goal of the psychoeducation session is to provide insight in the hyperacusis symptoms, take away the fear of external noises, and encourage exposure to noise.
Sponsors
University Hospital, Antwerp
Universiteit Antwerpen
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* primary complaint of hyperacusis
Exclusion criteria
* primary complaint of misophonia * primary complaint of tinnitus * undergoing another therapy at the moment of the study
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in EMA questions from baseline to end of the study | 8 random time points each day during the period of the study, from baseline and after intervention, though study completion for an average of 1 month | Change in questions concerning exposure, hyperacusis and tinnitus during the day from baseline measurement to last day of the study period |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Hyperacusis Questionnaire | before intervention, immediately post intervention | Hyperacusis severity self-report questionnaire, ranging from 0-42 with a higher score representing a higher sensitivity to sounds. A score of 28 is the cut-off for auditory hypersensitivity. |
| Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) | before intervention, immediately post intervention | Tinnitus severity self-report questionnaire, ranging from 0-100 with a higher score representing a more severe tinnitus |
Contacts
CONTACTLaure Jacquemin, PhD
Outcome results
None listed