Investigation of the relationship between hyperacusis and auditory processing difficulties in individuals with normal hearing

• Published in: European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology Vol. 281; no. 1; pp. 469 - 477
• Main Authors: Cogen, Talha, Cetin Kara, Halide, Kara, Eyyup, Telci, Fatma, Yener, Haydar Murat
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 2024
• Subjects: Audiometry, Pure-Tone; Auditory Perception; Head and Neck Surgery; Hearing; Humans; Hyperacusis - diagnosis; Hyperacusis - epidemiology; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Miscellaneous; Neurosurgery; Otorhinolaryngology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tinnitus - diagnosis; Young Adult; Hyperacusis; Khalfa Hyperacusis Questionnaire; UCAPI; Auditory processing disorders; Auditory processing difficulties
• ISSN: 0937-4477; 1434-4726
• DOI: 10.1007/s00405-023-08269-2

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of hyperacusis and auditory processing (listening) difficulties (APDiff) in normal-hearing young adults and to explore the relationship between these two conditions. Methods A total of 333 participants aged 18–24 underwent pure-tone audiometry tests and completed the Khalfa Hyperacusis Questionnaire (KHQ) and the University of Cincinnati Auditory Processing Inventory (UCAPI) online. Results Hyperacusis was identified in 26.43% of participants, and APDiff in 36.04%. A strong, positive correlation was found between KHQ and UCAPI scores (r = 0.603, p < 0.001). Logistic regression models indicated that hyperacusis significantly increased the likelihood of having APDiff (OR 7.688, p < 0.001). Conclusion Despite the high prevalence of hyperacusis and APDiff in young adults, few seek help from audiology clinics. Our findings highlight a significant link between hyperacusis and APDiff, emphasizing the need for screening protocols for auditory processing skills in young adults due to these conditions’ potential social and academic impacts.