title: Cognitive behaviour therapy for hyperacusis: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: Hyperacusis, defined as unusual intolerance to ordinary environmental sounds, is a common problem for which there are no controlled trials on psychological treatment. Given the avoidance strategies present in hyperacusis, and similarities with problems such as tinnitus and chronic pain, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is hypothesized to be helpful for patients with hyperacusis. In this randomized controlled study of 60 patients with hyperacusis, CBT was compared with a waiting list control group using the Loudness Discomfort Level test (LDL), the Hyperacusis Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales, the Quality of Life Inventory and an adapted version of the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia. There were significant between-group effects in favour of the CBT group on all measures except for the HADS anxiety scale. Between-group effect sizes were moderate to high, with Cohen's d = 0.67 and 0.69 per ear, respectively, for the primary measure LDL, and ranging from d = 0.32 to 1.36 for the secondary measures. The differences between groups ceased to exist when the waiting list group was treated later with CBT, and the treatment results were largely maintained after 12 months. In conclusion, CBT is a promising treatment for hyperacusis, although more research is necessary.
authors: Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Uppsala University, Uppsala University Hospital, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Surgical Sciences, Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Uppsala University, Uppsala University Hospital, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address: linda.juris@neuro.uu.se.
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Jüris
authors: Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Swedish Institute for Disability Research, Linköping University, SE-58183 Linköping, Sweden; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, SE-14157 Huddinge, Sweden.
authors: Gerhard
authors: G
authors: Andersson
authors: Department of Surgical Sciences, Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Uppsala University, Uppsala University Hospital, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden.
authors: Hans Christian
authors: HC
authors: Larsen
authors: Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Uppsala University, Uppsala University Hospital, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden.
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Ekselius
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001309:Auditory Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D012001:Hyperacusis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008144:Loudness Perception / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT); Hyperacusis; Randomized controlled trial (RCT)