Prevalence of Hyperacusis and Its Relation to Health: The Busselton Healthy Ageing Study
Smit, Adriana L.; Stegeman, Inge; Eikelboom, Robert H.; Baguley, David M.; Bennett, Rebecca J.; Tegg-Quinn, Susan; Bucks, Romola S.; Stokroos, Robert J.; Hunter, Michael; Atlas, Marcus D.
(2021) Laryngoscope, volume 131, issue 12, pp. E2887 - E2896
(Article)
Abstract
Importance: The prevalence of hyperacusis and its relationship with mental and general health is unknown in a nonclinical sample. Therefore, we aimed to determine the prevalence of hyperacusis and its relation with hearing, general and mental health in a population-based study. Study Design: Prospective population-based study. Material and Methods: This
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study uses data from the Busselton Healthy Ageing Study (BHAS). A sample of 5,107 eligible inhabitants aged 45 to 70 years completed a detailed questionnaire and a clinical assessment. A positive answer to “Do you consider yourself sensitive or intolerant to everyday sounds” was used to indicate hyperacusis. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between hearing, mental and general health factors, and hyperacusis. Results: Of 5,107 participants, 775 (15.2%) reported hyperacusis. The majority of participants with hyperacusis reported an occasional effect on daily life (72.0%). Being female, older in age, having a lower income, physical or mental health difficulties, more severe hearing loss, and tinnitus were all associated with the presence of hyperacusis. Individuals who experience hearing impairment, poorer general or mental health have a higher possibility of hyperacusis having an effect on their daily life. Conclusions: In this community population-based cohort study, we found a prevalence of hyperacusis of 15.2%. Individuals with hearing loss, mental health problems, and lower physical health have a higher possibility of experiencing effects on their daily life associated with their hyperacusis. Unravelling the relationship between hyperacusis hearing, general and mental health can be of major importance for a better understanding of the condition and its consequences. Level of Evidence: 2 Laryngoscope, 131:E2887–E2896, 2021.
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Keywords: hearing loss, Hyperacusis, mental health, population study, tinnitus, Otorhinolaryngology, Journal Article
ISSN: 0023-852X
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Inc.
Note: Funding Information: The Busselton Healthy Ageing Study (Phase 1) was supported by grants from the Government of Western Australia (Office of Science, Department of Health) and the City of Busselton and from private donations to the Busselton Population Medical Research Institute. D. Baguley is supported by the UK National Institute for Health Research, but the views in this article are his own. There are no potential sources of conflict of interest. Funding Information: Grants from the Government of Western Australia (Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation), the Commonwealth Government (Department of Health), the City of Busselton, and from private donations to the Busselton Population Medical Research Institute. In-kind support: The Western Australian Country Health Service, Pathwest, Abbott, Stallergenes, Resmed, Wesnes Cognition LTD and BD Biosciences. The authors thank Mark Divitini and Kashif Mukhtar and the BPMRI Busselton Health Study Centre staff and volunteers for survey operations, the BPMRI Community Advisory Committee, and the people of Busselton for their participation. D. Baguley is supported by the UK National Institute for Health Research, but the views in this article are his own. There are no potential sources of conflict of interest. Funding Information: Grants from the Government of Western Australia (Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation), the Commonwealth Government (Department of Health), the City of Busselton, and from private donations to the Busselton Population Medical Research Institute. In‐kind support: The Western Australian Country Health Service, Pathwest, Abbott, Stallergenes, Resmed, Wesnes Cognition LTD and BD Biosciences. The authors thank Mark Divitini and Kashif Mukhtar and the BPMRI Busselton Health Study Centre staff and volunteers for survey operations, the BPMRI Community Advisory Committee, and the people of Busselton for their participation. D. Baguley is supported by the UK National Institute for Health Research, but the views in this article are his own. There are no potential sources of conflict of interest. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Authors. The Laryngoscope published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.
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