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. 2021 Jan 26;11(2):87.
doi: 10.3390/life11020087.

Decreased Sound Tolerance in Tinnitus Patients

Danuta Raj-Koziak  1 , Elżbieta Gos  2 , Justyna Kutyba  1 , Henryk Skarzynski  3 , Piotr H Skarzynski  2
Affiliations

Decreased Sound Tolerance in Tinnitus Patients

Danuta Raj-Koziak et al. Life (Basel). .

Abstract

(1) Background: Decreased sound tolerance is a significant problem in tinnitus sufferers. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between tinnitus and decreased sound tolerance (hyperacusis and misophonia). (2) Methods: The study sample consisted of 74 patients with tinnitus and decreased sound tolerance. The procedure comprised patient interviews, pure tone audiometry, impedance audiometry, measurement of uncomfortable loudness levels, and administration of the Hyperacusis Questionnaire, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, and Visual Analogue Scales. (3) Results: The majority (69%) of the patients reported that noise aggravated their tinnitus. The correlation between tinnitus and hyperacusis was found to be statistically significant and positive: r = 0.44; p < 0.01. The higher the tinnitus severity, the greater the hyperacusis. There was no correlation between misophonia and hyperacusis (r = 0.18; p > 0.05), or between misophonia and tinnitus (r = 0.06; p > 0.05). (4) Conclusions: For tinnitus patients the more significant problem was hyperacusis rather than misophonia. The diagnosis and treatment of decreased sound tolerance should take into account not only audiological, but also psychological problems of the patients.

Keywords: decreased sound tolerance; hyperacusis; misophonia; tinnitus.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Average hearing thresholds. AC, air conduction; BC, bone conduction; RE, right ear; LE, left ear.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distribution of Hyperacusis Questionnaire total score. The diagnostic criterion (28 points) is marked with the vertical dotted line.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Distribution of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory total score.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Hyperacusis measured with Hyperacusis Questionnaire (A) and hyperacusis loudness measured with Visual Analogue Scale (B). Both increase with tinnitus severity.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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