Factors related to uncomfortable loudness levels for patients seen in a tinnitus and hyperacusis clinic.

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Factors related to uncomfortable loudness levels for patients seen in a tinnitus and hyperacusis clinic.

Int J Audiol. 2017 Jun 16;:1-8

Authors: Aazh H, Moore BCJ

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aims were as follows: (1) to explore patterns of uncomfortable loudness levels (ULLs) across frequency and their associated factors for patients with tinnitus and hyperacusis, and (2) to re-evaluate the criteria for diagnosing hyperacusis based on ULLs and scores for the Hyperacusis Questionnaire (HQ).
DESIGN: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study.
STUDY SAMPLE: 573 consecutive patients for whom ULLs had been measured were included.
RESULTS: A good correspondence between the diagnosis of hyperacusis based on the across-frequency average ULL for the ear with the lowest ULLs (ULLmin) and hyperacusis handicap based on HQ scores was obtained with cut-off values of ULLmin ≤77 dB HL and HQ score ≥ 22. A regression model showed significant relationships between ULLmin and the score on the HQ and age. The mean HQ score for patients with a large interaural asymmetry in ULLs was significantly higher than for the remainder. Hyperacusis handicap was associated with strong across-frequency variations in ULLs.
CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate cut-off values for diagnosing hyperacusis are ULLmin ≤77 dB HL and HQ score ≥22. Large interaural asymmetry and large across-frequency variations in ULLs are associated with higher HQ scores.

PMID: 28622055 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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