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Hyperacusis: new thinking in research
Image courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons
More information on the day and the seminar handouts are available on the Royal Surrey County Hospital's website at http://www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk/advanced-audiology-seminars Royal Surrey County Hospital Seminar Organising CommittteeOn the 25th October 2010 the Royal Surrey County Hospital played host to the UK first Hyperacusis Seminar. This event aimed to: to review the current evidence regarding loudness perception; generate new theories and ideas regarding the causes of hyperacusis; discuss the symptoms of hyperacusis from different aspects including psychoacoustics, physics, neurophysiology, sensory integration, psychology and audiology. Lastly, we also reviewed the clinical aspects of hyperacusis in children and adults from the perspective of audiology, psychology and occupational therapy.A host of internationally renowned speakers from a variety of educational and clinical backgrounds contributed to this exciting program which was well received by the seminar delegates. Hashir Azah, Audiologist at the Royal Surrey County Hospital open the day’s proceedings which saw over 80 healthcare professionals from differing disciplines keen to develop their knowledge and learn how to implement change in their departments.Leigh Martin BScPaediatric and Research Audiologist In summary this event has really spurred a huge interest in hyperacusis and has persuaded the clinical and research communities to address this condition more effectively. We hope more research will be done to look into the causes of hyperacusis and that clinicians will use the information from this event to help diagnose and treat their patients.Next, Professor Deepak Prasher, Head of Department at the Royal Surrey County Hospital gave some useful insights as to how noise exposure can alter our tolerance to sound and how hyperacusis may be a precursor to tinnitus and possibly hearing loss. Dr Amr el Refaie from the University of Bristol investigated the varying pathophysiological models of hyperacusis suggesting that this condition may arise from disruption to the neurotransmitter serotonin. He was also keen to promote the possible links between hyperacusis and migraine – noting that a problem in the calcium ion channels may link to both the conditions. This is an area which he would like to see researched over the next few years.The keynote lecture of the day came from Professor Brian Moore of the School of Experimental Psychology at the University of Cambridge, who explored the concept of loudness perception. He produced several models which have been well accepted by clinicians and he focused on how damage to the hair cells in the cochlea can cause abnormalities in loudness perception. He also put particular emphasis on the efferent auditory system as a possible contributor to the condition of hyperacusis. This idea was also supported Professor Ray Meddis in his lecture, which elaborated further on this subject. However, delegates expressed a consensus that the use of uncomfortable loudness levels and good history-taking from patients are key to accurately diagnosis this condition. It was also noted that the following management techniques should/can implemented to treat hyperacusis:
