AWARENESS OF HYPERACUSIS MANAGEMENT AMONG HEARING HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS - A NATIONWIDE TELEPHONIC SURVEY

Abstract

Decreased sound tolerance prevents people from entering louder environments, working and interacting socially. Hyperacusis is defined as an abnormally strong reaction to sound occurring within the auditory pathways. Among patients with a primary complaint of tinnitus the prevalence of hyperacusis is about 40% (Jastreboff, & Jastreboff, 2000). In patients with a primary complaint of hyperacusis the prevalence of tinnitus has been reported as 86%.In various clinics, tinnitus management often has a confusing impact on quality of life of patients who have hyperacusis but the term and concept may not be accepted as the assessment and management interest. It is found that 56.6% of the respondents report that hyperacusis is not diagnosed in their clinics, 73.4 % do not know the etiology, 33.3% manage hyperacusis and tinnitus simultaneously while others are not sure which should be managed. Decreased sound tolerance, including hyperacusis, misophonia, and phonophobia, is a challenging topic to study and treat. The etiology is not clear, neural mechanisms are speculative and treatments are not yet proven. The general recognition of decreased sound tolerance, as a problem requiring attention and proper treatment, should be considered a priority in the community of hearing professionals.

Key words- Hyperacusis, Awareness, Survey.

Keywords

• Hyperacusis, awareness, survey

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