[Therapy of hyperacusis in patients with tinnitus].
BACKGROUND
Patients with tinnitus very often suffer from hyperacusis also.


METHODS
In the present study a possible treatment for patients with bilateral hyperacusis is introduced and the therapeutical results of 41 patients suffering from bilateral hyperacusis combined with a uni- or bilateral tinnitus are discussed. Twenty-one of them also had a cochlear hearing loss. By means of white noise generators or hearing aids and a specific acoustic training the auditory input to the central nervous system was increased. All patients were taught a method to reduce stress (Progressive muscle relaxation according to Jacobson). Uncomfortable loudness levels were analysed before as well as 3 weeks and 6 months after beginning of the treatment.


RESULTS
By the time of 3 weeks the discomfort from ordinary sounds was distinctly reduced and the reduction progressed further after 6 months of treatment. In more than 50% of the participants the uncomfortable loudness levels could be raised to a normal range. Interestingly the improvement of hyperacusis was independent of an existing hearing loss.


CONCLUSIONS
The described method of treatment seems to be helpful for patients with hyperacusis and will be compared to other therapeutical regimes.
Universitätsklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Mainz.
E A
EA
Ziegler
K
K
Gosepath
W
W
Mann
D000162:Acoustics; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006185:Habituation, Psychophysiologic; D006310:Hearing Aids; D006801:Humans; D012001:Hyperacusis / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000150:complications*