Hashir Aazh1, Brian C J Moore2. 1. a Audiology Department , Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust , Guildford , UK and. 2. b Department of Experimental Psychology , University of Cambridge , Cambridge , UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aims were as follows: (1) to explore patterns of uncomfortable loudness levels (ULLs) across frequency and their associated factors for patients with tinnitus and hyperacusis, and (2) to re-evaluate the criteria for diagnosing hyperacusis based on ULLs and scores for the Hyperacusis Questionnaire (HQ). DESIGN: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. STUDY SAMPLE: 573 consecutive patients for whom ULLs had been measured were included. RESULTS: A good correspondence between the diagnosis of hyperacusis based on the across-frequency average ULL for the ear with the lowest ULLs (ULLmin) and hyperacusis handicap based on HQ scores was obtained with cut-off values of ULLmin ≤77 dB HL and HQ score ≥ 22. A regression model showed significant relationships between ULLmin and the score on the HQ and age. The mean HQ score for patients with a large interaural asymmetry in ULLs was significantly higher than for the remainder. Hyperacusis handicap was associated with strong across-frequency variations in ULLs. CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate cut-off values for diagnosing hyperacusis are ULLmin ≤77 dB HL and HQ score ≥22. Large interaural asymmetry and large across-frequency variations in ULLs are associated with higher HQ scores.
OBJECTIVES: The aims were as follows: (1) to explore patterns of uncomfortable loudness levels (ULLs) across frequency and their associated factors for patients with tinnitus and hyperacusis, and (2) to re-evaluate the criteria for diagnosing hyperacusis based on ULLs and scores for the Hyperacusis Questionnaire (HQ). DESIGN: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. STUDY SAMPLE: 573 consecutive patients for whom ULLs had been measured were included. RESULTS: A good correspondence between the diagnosis of hyperacusis based on the across-frequency average ULL for the ear with the lowest ULLs (ULLmin) and hyperacusis handicap based on HQ scores was obtained with cut-off values of ULLmin ≤77 dB HL and HQ score ≥ 22. A regression model showed significant relationships between ULLmin and the score on the HQ and age. The mean HQ score for patients with a large interaural asymmetry in ULLs was significantly higher than for the remainder. Hyperacusis handicap was associated with strong across-frequency variations in ULLs. CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate cut-off values for diagnosing hyperacusis are ULLmin ≤77 dB HL and HQ score ≥22. Large interaural asymmetry and large across-frequency variations in ULLs are associated with higher HQ scores.
Authors: Massimo Ralli; Richard J Salvi; Antonio Greco; Rosaria Turchetta; Armando De Virgilio; Giancarlo Altissimi; Giuseppe Attanasio; Giancarlo Cianfrone; Marco de Vincentiis Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-11-21 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Federica Tortorella; Silva Pavaci; Alessandra Barbara Fioretti; Francesco Masedu; Maria Lauriello; Alberto Eibenstein Journal: Audiol Res Date: 2017-10-02
Authors: Hashir Aazh; Marlies Knipper; Ali A Danesh; Andrea E Cavanna; Linus Andersson; Johan Paulin; Martin Schecklmann; Marja Heinonen-Guzejev; Brian C J Moore Journal: Noise Health Date: 2018 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 0.867