Pattern of Uncomfortable Loudness Levels in Hyperacusis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patterns of Uncomfortable Loudness Levels in people with hyperacusis: Relationship with psychological factors, insomnia, tinnitus, and hyperacusis handicap.
IRAS ID
182924
Contact name
Hashir Aazh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
royal surrey county hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 13 days
Research summary
Hyperacusis is a term that is used to describe the intolerance to everyday sounds that causes significant distress and impairment in social, occupational, recreational, and other day-to-day activities of the sufferer. Audiologists often use Uncomfortable Loudness Levels (ULLs) to identify the sound levels that are perceived as “too loud”. ULLs of less than 80 dB HL can be considered as abnormally low. In cases of severe hyperacusis the ULLs can be as low as 30 dB HL.
Although studies suggest that reduced ULLs can be an indication of hyperacusis, we do not fully understand the pattern in which ULLs are reduced in patients with hyperacusis. There are conflicting reports in the literature with regard to the pattern of ULLs across frequencies and their relationship with hearing thresholds in patients with hyperacusis. In addition, there is little information about the prevalence of unilateral versus bilateral reductions in ULLs.
Aims: The aims of this study are to (1) explore and categorise various patterns of ULLs in patients with and without hyperacusis, and (2) compare patient’s demographic characteristics, psychological factors, severity of insomnia, severity of tinnitus, and hyperacusis handicap among different ULLs categories.
Study design: retrospective/ assessing patient’s anonymised audiological records
Methods: Data will be derived from an electronic database for patients who were treated between 2010 and 2016 at the audiology department, the Royal Surrey County Hospital. The inclusion criterion is to have the records of their hearing thresholds and ULLs.REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SW/0127
Date of REC Opinion
25 Apr 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion