Laure Jacquemin1,2, Emilie Cardon3,4, Sarah Michiels4,5, Tine Luyten3,4, Annemarie Van der Wal6,7, Willem De Hertogh6, Olivier M Vanderveken3,4, Paul Van de Heyning3,4, Marc J W Lammers3,4, Vincent Van Rompaey3,4, Annick Gilles3,4,8. 1. Department of Translational Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. laure.jacquemin@uza.be. 2. University Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium. laure.jacquemin@uza.be. 3. Department of Translational Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. 4. University Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium. 5. REVAL Rehabilitation Research Centre, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium. 6. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium. 7. Department of Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam, VU Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 8. Department of Education, Health and Social Work, University College Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To document whether patients with and without hyperacusis differ from each other on demographic, audiological, and clinical characteristics. METHODS: Based on the Hyperacusis Questionnaire's (HQ) cut-off (HQ > 28), a total of 2301 participants were divided into patients with and without hyperacusis. Demographic data, scores on self-reported questionnaires [Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI), Visual Analogue Scale of tinnitus loudness (VASloudness), Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS)], and audiological parameters were retrospectively analysed to determine differential factors between the two groups. RESULTS: In total, 10.9% of the patients was classified as hyperacusis patients (n = 251). They reported a significant, higher tinnitus severity (mean difference of 19 points on TFI) and mental distress (mean difference of 4 points on the HADS subscales) (p < 0.001) than patients without hyperacusis. Moreover, this group consisted of more women (45% % in hyperacusis group vs. 35% in non-hyperacusis group) and women scored significantly higher on the HQ (p < 0.001) and TFI (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Patients with hyperacusis have distinctive characteristics. The presence of hyperacusis in combination with tinnitus can indicate a higher need for psychoeducation. Patients that present themselves with hyperacusis without tinnitus complaints remain a minority, yet might be underdiagnosed. Hence, future studies should disentangle tinnitus from hyperacusis. In clinical practice, greater efforts are required to increase knowledge about hyperacusis as a primary or secondary complaint and to provide individualized treatment for these patients.
PURPOSE: To document whether patients with and without hyperacusis differ from each other on demographic, audiological, and clinical characteristics. METHODS: Based on the Hyperacusis Questionnaire's (HQ) cut-off (HQ > 28), a total of 2301 participants were divided into patients with and without hyperacusis. Demographic data, scores on self-reported questionnaires [Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI), Visual Analogue Scale of tinnitus loudness (VASloudness), Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS)], and audiological parameters were retrospectively analysed to determine differential factors between the two groups. RESULTS: In total, 10.9% of the patients was classified as hyperacusis patients (n = 251). They reported a significant, higher tinnitus severity (mean difference of 19 points on TFI) and mental distress (mean difference of 4 points on the HADS subscales) (p < 0.001) than patients without hyperacusis. Moreover, this group consisted of more women (45% % in hyperacusis group vs. 35% in non-hyperacusis group) and women scored significantly higher on the HQ (p < 0.001) and TFI (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Patients with hyperacusis have distinctive characteristics. The presence of hyperacusis in combination with tinnitus can indicate a higher need for psychoeducation. Patients that present themselves with hyperacusis without tinnitus complaints remain a minority, yet might be underdiagnosed. Hence, future studies should disentangle tinnitus from hyperacusis. In clinical practice, greater efforts are required to increase knowledge about hyperacusis as a primary or secondary complaint and to provide individualized treatment for these patients.
Authors: Adriana L Smit; Inge Stegeman; Robert H Eikelboom; David M Baguley; Rebecca J Bennett; Susan Tegg-Quinn; Romola S Bucks; Robert J Stokroos; Michael Hunter; Marcus D Atlas Journal: Laryngoscope Date: 2021-07-22 Impact factor: 2.970