Evaluation and treatment of severe hyperacusis.

Abstract

A 52-year-old male was evaluated by the authors after initially reporting fullness in his left ear while traveling on an airplane. A unique feature of the patient's complaint was the development of severe bilateral hyperacusis (loudness discomfort levels of between 20-34 dB HL) in spite of the fact that the hearing loss was initially reported in the left ear. To achieve loudness comfort, the patient was initially fit with ER-25 musician earplugs that proved to be unsuccessful. The patient next purchased earplugs and earmuffs from a gun shop in order to obtain relief from the pain and discomfort caused by his exposure to everyday environmental sounds. This paper describes the use of hearing devices that proved to be effective in providing attenuation sufficient that the patient rarely needs to rely on earplugs and earmuffs for relief from his hyperacusis.

• Authors: M Valente, J Goebel, D Duddy, B Sinks, J Peterein
• Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Audiology (J Am Acad Audiol) Vol. 11 Issue 6 Pg. 295-9 (Jun 2000) ISSN: 1050-0545 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10858000 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Diuretics
• Methylprednisolone

Topics

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (therapeutic use)
• Audiometry (methods)
• Audiometry, Evoked Response (methods)
• Diuretics (therapeutic use)
• Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem (physiology)
• Hearing Loss, Sensorineural (diagnosis)
• Humans
• Hyperacusis (diagnosis, drug therapy, therapy)
• Male
• Methylprednisolone (therapeutic use)
• Middle Aged
• Severity of Illness Index
• Tinnitus (diagnosis, etiology)
• Valsalva Maneuver