Article of interest outlining the complex nature of the brain. Extracts from research into Hyperacusis (and associated Tinnitus)

[daverussell]

I'm sharing this, as I think it's interesting. Whilst this is an extract from a scientific study about Hyperacusis, it discusses Tinnitus (mentioned 34 times). Im afraid it doesn't have conclusive answers, but further understanding helps me better accept these two apparently interrelated conditions. Hope it might help others out there too.

"Comorbidity between hyperacusis and tinnitus is very high with an estimated 86% of patients with hyperacusis also having tinnitus, 27 to 40% of patients with tinnitus also show symptoms of hyperacusis.

Recent work suggests that tinnitus and hyperacusis are linked to excessive neural activity in a widespread brain network that not only includes the central auditory pathway, but also brain regions involved in arousal, emotion, stress, and motor control."

"Hyperacusis in tinnitus has been associated with younger age, higher tinnitus-related mental and general distress, and higher rates of pain disorders and vertigo. Further, the degree of annoyance due to tinnitus was shown to have no clear relationship with hyperacusis. In our group session, seven of 11 patients suffered from tinnitus and sought help from an otologist."

"Neuroplastic changes in the nervous system caused “central sensitization,” thus reducing the threshold for pain activation and increasing the pain perception with supra-threshold stimulation. This may alter activity at sensory convergence regions in the thalamus and brainstem (such as the locus coeruleus) and give rise to hyperacusis in certain pain syndromes.

Patients with hyperacusis may feel discomfort, be fretful, anxious, nervous, or irritable when hearing certain sounds. These emotional reactions can also be accompanied by related symptoms such as tinnitus, headache, and imbalance. Beyond sound sensitivity, other sensory stimuli can also cause discomfort in some hyperacusis patients. For example, 4/11 participants in our group were bothered by bright light, 5/11 bothered by smell, 1/11 bothered by taste, and 1/11 bothered by touch."

"Hyperacusis is a com­plex disorder and requires intervention that often involves multiple members of a medical team, including audiologists."

Jai Ke, et al (2020). Complaints of People with Hyperacusis.

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[rabbits65]

thanks for posting this interesting find.

[Somedaysbetter]

Hi Dave. Thank you for posting. Always good to understand more about this complex disease we have. 🙏

[Mille23]

Thank you very much for sharing 😊 I started with tinnitus but have got Hyperacusis as well. Makes life with tinnitus even harder.

[daverussell in reply to Mille23]

I accept Tinnitus for the most part, but the added day to day struggle with Hyperacusis/Recruitment is probably more exhausting and frustrating as it put me on edge.

[surviveT in reply to daverussell]

I find that days when my hyperacusis is worse then the tinnitus is also worse

[Graham-E]

Thanks for sharing.

When my T started is was quickly followed by Hyperacusis. The crinkle of a certain type of plastic was agony. Anyone opening a crisp packet close to me caused pain.

After a few years the Hyperacusis went away. I don’t know how to describe it but I became aware that it had gone.

I have no idea why and have been thinking in the back of my mind maybe my T will also go. I’m not holding my breath though!

Great article and thanks for sharing it.

Best Graham

[daverussell in reply to Graham-E]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I find how I cope is stress related, and I become more irrational and respond or on edge in anticipation of sounds.