Hyperacusis is characterized by the perception that ordinary sounds are uncomfortably loud, distressing, physically painful, or some combination of all. These symptoms often have detrimental and life-altering psychosocial consequences. Despite the debilitating nature of hyperacusis, clinicians lack sensitive diagnostic tools and widely effective treatments for the condition. In this seminar, we will discuss perceived barriers to effective audiological management of hyperacusis and present new physiological biomarkers that shed light on its underlying neural mechanisms.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe barriers to audiological evaluation and treatment of hyperacusis.
• Explain primary theories regarding the underlying mechanisms of hyperacusis.
• Discuss potential methods to quantify central auditory gain and physiological arousal.