Hyperakusis: Genomgång av behandlingsmetoder

Abstract

Background: Hyperacusis has been described as an extreme sensitivity to environmental sounds. The prevalence of hyperacusis in a Swedish population is 8-9 %. A distinction is made between peripheral and central hyperacusis, where central hyperacusis has no influence on peripheral hearing mechanisms. There are a number of proposed mechanisms and models regarding hyperacusis, as well as there are proposed treatments. Purpose: As a literature study perform a systematic review and analysis of proposed treatments of hyperacusis. Material and method: The literature study reviews scientific papers relevant to the purpose of the study and the questions at issue. Scientific papers were found in the database PubMed. Result: Improvement followed by treatment is described as a wider dynamic range and/or a self rated improvement of every day life. The proportion of cases showing an improvement vary between 28,6 to 63 %. The selected treatment is primary influenced by the mechanism/model in favour. Effective treatments have shown to be long, consist several components and consist patients without hearing impairment. Discussion: The treatments of hyperacusis is highly influenced by Jastreboffs neurophysiological model. According to this model a treatment with soundstimulation will reduce activation of brain areas associated with fear. The unclear definition of hyperacusis does however lead one to question whether hyperacusis may be mistaken for loudness recruitment.