Role of Exposure in Hyperacusis

Antwerp University Hospital (UZA)

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Hyperacusis

Treatments: Behavioral: Psychoeducation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04705246

Exposure in Hyperacusis

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study focuses on patients with a primary complaint of hyperacusis. Hyperacusis has been defined as 'abnormally reduced tolerance to sound'. It shows a high comorbidity with tinnitus, the perception of sound in the absence of a sound source. For the period of one month, hyperacusis and tinnitus severity and exposure to sounds will be evaluated by use of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) in all participants. A novel approach to assessments, EMA prompts participants during their daily life to answer short questionnaires, increasing ecological validity and minimizing the risk for recall and memory biases. At a randomized time point during the one-month period, participants will individually receive a single psychoeducation session (1h) delivered by an experienced audiologist. The goal of the study is to investigate if the psychoeducation session leads to an increase in exposure to sound and a decrease in hyperacusis severity.

Enrollment: 5 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• primary complaint of hyperacusis

Exclusion criteria

• primary complaint of misophonia
• primary complaint of tinnitus
• undergoing another therapy at the moment of the study

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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5 participants in 1 patient group

Psychoeducation

Experimental group

Description:

The goal of the psychoeducation session is to provide insight in the hyperacusis symptoms, take away the fear of external noises, and encourage exposure to noise.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Psychoeducation