Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Hyperacusis

Linköping University (LiU)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Hyperacusis

Treatments: Behavioral: Cognitive behavioural therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01321814

GA-LJ-HYP1

Details and patient eligibility

About

The main purpose of this study is to investigate whether cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) can be useful for people suffering from Hyperacusis.

Also, the investigators are interested in investigating this group of patients on psychiatric and somatic comorbidity, personality traits, and startle response to sounds.

The investigators will also study the audiological measures commonly used in Sweden to measure hyperacusis, and investigate their validity.

The investigators hypothesize that CBT might be helpful for patients suffering from Hyperacusis.

Full description

Hyperacusis, defined as unusual intolerance to ordinary environmental sounds, is a common problem for which there are no controlled trials on psychological treatment. Given the avoidance strategies present in hyperacusis, and similarities with problems such as tinnitus and chronic pain, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is hypothesized to be helpful for patients with hyperacusis. In this randomized controlled study of 60 patients with hyperacusis, CBT was compared with a waiting list control group using the Loudness Discomfort Level test (LDL), the Hyperacusis Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales, the Quality of Life Inventory and an adapted version of the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia. There were significant between-group effects in favour of the CBT group on all measures except for the HADS anxiety scale. Between-group effect sizes were moderate to high, with Cohen's d = 0.67 and 0.69 per ear, respectively, for the primary measure LDL, and ranging from d = 0.32 to 1.36 for the secondary measures. The differences between groups ceased to exist when the waiting list group was treated later with CBT, and the treatment results were largely maintained after 12 months. In conclusion, CBT is a promising treatment for hyperacusis, although more research is necessary.

Enrollment: 62 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Patient understands and can speak Swedish well
• Hyperacusis is the primary audiological problem
• Loudness discomfort thresholds below 90 dB
• Hearing levels better than 40dB on the best ear
• Resident of Uppsala, Stockholm or Vastmanland
• Possibility to travel to Uppsala or Vasteras for examination and treatment

Exclusion criteria

• Scoring "moderate" or "high" on suicidality, according to M.I.N.I
• Moderate to severe depression
• Psychotic disorders

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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62 participants in 2 patient groups

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

Experimental group

Description:

Patients receiving 6 sessions of CBT conducted by a licensed psychologist. Sessions include psychoeducation, exposure treatment, behavioral activation and applied relaxation.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Cognitive behavioural therapy

Waiting list

No Intervention group

Description:

Patient waits for CBT treatment for 6 months.