Role of Exposure in Hyperacusis

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Official Title
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Effect of Psychoeducation Upon Exposure to Sounds and Hyperacusis Severity

Conditions
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Hyperacusis

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Psychoeducation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Psychoeducation<br>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. | Behavioral: Psychoeducation<br>* 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.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in EMA questions from baseline to end of the study | Change in questions concerning exposure, hyperacusis and tinnitus during the day from baseline measurement to last day of the study period | 8 random time points each day during the period of the study, from baseline and after intervention, though study completion for an average of 1 month | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hyperacusis Questionnaire | Hyperacusis severity self-report questionnaire, ranging from 0-42 with a higher score representing a higher sensitivity to sounds. A score of 28 is the cut-off for auditory hypersensitivity. | before intervention, immediately post intervention | 
| Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) | Tinnitus severity self-report questionnaire, ranging from 0-100 with a higher score representing a more severe tinnitus | before intervention, immediately post intervention |