Can Hyperacusis Be Improved?

Hyperacusis, a symptom related to hypersensitivity to sounds, has an estimated prevalence of 9%-15% and leads to impaired social, emotional and attentional functioning. This study explores an intervention method to minimize hyperacusis. ). The aim of our study was to answer the fol-lowing research questions, whether hyperacusis can be improved through systematic guided ex-posure to annoying sounds under experimental controlled conditions and whether temporal reso-lution can be improved with auditory training. Methods included an initial interview, Khalfa Hyperacusis questionnaire, guided exposure to annoying sounds, temporal resolution pre and post auditory training evaluation. The sample was composed of 33 adults that where spilt into an ex-perimental hyperacusis group and a control one based on their score at Kalfa's Hyperacusis ques-tionnaire (cut off 16). It was found that the experimental group ameliorated its hyperacusis dis-comfort (p=0.001) as well as improved its temporal resolution for both right (p=0.001) and left ears (p=0.003). Individuals with hyperacusis can benefit from auditory training both in terms of symptomatology and temporal resolution.