Functional biomarkers that distinguish between tinnitus with and without hyperacusis.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Hofmeier B
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8140185 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Functional biomarkers that distinguish between tinnitus with and without hyperacusis.
Hofmeier Benedikt B Wertz Jakob J Refat Fatma F Hinrichs Pauline P Saemisch Jörg J Singer Wibke W Rüttiger Lukas L Klose Uwe U Knipper Marlies M Wolpert Stephan S
Clinical and translational medicine 20210501 5
Similar Datasets
Project description:Hyperacusis, a kind of decreased sound tolerance, is difficult to measure objectively. It often co-occurs with tinnitus. There is a need for valid and reliable patient-reported outcome measures to capture this subjective phenomenon. The aim of the study was to create a questionnaire capturing hyperacusis in terms of loudness, fear, and pain and to evaluate its psychometric properties. The study sample consisted of 106 adult patients with hyperacusis and tinnitus with a mean age of 45.2 years. A medical interview, an audiological examination, and several questionnaires (the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, the Hyperacusis Questionnaire, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Visual Analog Scales) were applied. The final 14-item Hyperacusis Assessment Questionnaire showed an appropriate three-factor structure with 70.5% of the variance explained. Convergent and divergent validity were confirmed by correlations with other measures of hyperacusis, anxiety, tinnitus severity, misophonia, and hearing thresholds. The internal consistency assessed with Cronbach's alpha was excellent (α = 0.91), as was reproducibility (intraclass correlation, ICC = 0.96). The new Hyperacusis Assessment Questionnaire is a psychometrically sound and brief tool assessing the severity of hyperacusis in terms of loudness, fear, and pain. It can be used in clinical practice and scientific research for patients with hyperacusis and tinnitus.
| S-EPMC10607047 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionHypersensitivity to sound and tinnitus are often co-morbid and can influence emotional well-being, hearing, sleep, concentration, cause anxiety, and interfere with speech perception in noise.PurposeA clear measure of sensitivity to sound is important as there is dearth in standard protocol for evaluating hyperacusis in individuals with tinnitus. Although there are a few questionnaires to assess hyperacusis, a direct application of these questionnaires in the Indian context would be unfavorable.ObjectivesThe study attempts to develop and validate an indigenous Hyperacusis Handicap Questionnaire (HHQ) for individuals with tinnitus associated with hyperacusis.MethodA total of 25 questions were considered for validation. Further, 21 questions were subdivided into three sections of seven questions each, tapping, 'Functional,' 'Social,' and 'Emotional' aspects of the condition. It was administered on 77 individuals with tinnitus associated with hyperacusis in the age range of 20-55 years for further validation. A total score was obtained by adding all the three sub-scales.ResultsThe internal consistency of the questionnaire was determined by Cronbach's Alpha (α) was α = 0.85; and, α = 0.83 for Functional, α = 0.81 for Social, α = 0.7 for Emotional subscales suggesting that the questionnaire can be used for the assessment of handicap associated with hyperacusis in individuals with tinnitus. Also, no significant difference in terms of gender and duration of tinnitus comparisons were seen.ConclusionsThe obtained results suggest that HHQ will aid in the characterization and quantification of the handicap associated with hyperacusis in individuals with tinnitus.
| S-EPMC7691828 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Aminoglycosides (AG) such as amikacin are commonly used in cystic fibrosis patients with opportunistic pulmonary infections including multi-drug resistant mycobacterium tuberculous and non-tuberculous mycobacterium. Unfortunately, this class of drugs is known to cause peripheral damage to the cochlea leading to hearing loss that can fluctuate and become permanent over time or multiple exposures. However, whether amikacin can lead to central auditory dysfunction like hyperacusis (increased sensitivity to sound) or tinnitus (perception of sound in the absence of acoustic stimulation) is not well-described in the literature. Thus, an animal model needs to be developed that documents these side effects in order to develop therapeutic solutions to reduce AG-induced auditory dysfunction. Here we present pioneer work in mice which demonstrates that amikacin can lead to fluctuating behavioral evidence of hyperacusis and tinnitus as assessed by the acoustic startle reflex. Additionally, electrophysiological assessments of hearing via auditory brainstem response demonstrate increased central activity in the auditory brainstem. These data together suggest that peripheral AG-induced dysfunction can lead to central hyperactivity and possible behavioral manifestations of hyperacusis and tinnitus. Importantly, we demonstrate that ebselen, a novel investigational drug that acts as both an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, can mitigate AG-induced hyperacusis.
| S-EPMC7530258 | biostudies-literature
Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC8316917 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The ongoing controversies about the neural basis of tinnitus, whether linked with central neural gain or not, may hamper efforts to develop therapies. We asked to what extent measurable audiometric characteristics of tinnitus without (T) or with co-occurrence of hyperacusis (TH) are distinguishable on the level of cortical responses. To accomplish this, electroencephalography (EEG) and concurrent functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) were measured while patients performed an attentionally demanding auditory discrimination task using stimuli within the individual tinnitus frequency (fTin) and a reference frequency (fRef). Resting-state-fMRI-based functional connectivity (rs-fMRI-bfc) in ascending auditory nuclei (AAN), the primary auditory cortex (AC-I), and four other regions relevant for directing attention or regulating distress in temporal, parietal, and prefrontal cortex was compiled and compared to EEG and concurrent fNIRS activity in the same brain areas. We observed no group differences in pure-tone audiometry (PTA) between 10 and 16 kHz. However, the PTA threshold around the tinnitus pitch was positively correlated with the self-rated tinnitus loudness and also correlated with distress in T-groups, while TH experienced their tinnitus loudness at minimal loudness levels already with maximal suffering scores. The T-group exhibited prolonged auditory brain stem (ABR) wave I latency and reduced ABR wave V amplitudes (indicating reduced neural synchrony in the brainstem), which were associated with lower rs-fMRI-bfc between AAN and the AC-I, as observed in previous studies. In T-subjects, these features were linked with elevated spontaneous and reduced evoked gamma oscillations and with reduced deoxygenated hemoglobin (deoxy-Hb) concentrations in response to stimulation with lower frequencies in temporal cortex (Brodmann area (BA) 41, 42, 22), implying less synchronous auditory responses during active auditory discrimination of reference frequencies. In contrast, in the TH-group gamma oscillations and hemodynamic responses in temporoparietal regions were reversed during active discrimination of tinnitus frequencies. Our findings suggest that T and TH differ in auditory discrimination and memory-dependent directed attention during active discrimination at either tinnitus or reference frequencies, offering a test paradigm that may allow for more precise sub-classification of tinnitus and future improved treatment approaches.
| S-EPMC10794389 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence of tinnitus and hyperacusis in children aged 9-12 years in Flanders, as well as to explore the associations with hearing abilities and listening behaviours.DesignA cross-sectional survey was undertaken in four different Flemish schools. The questionnaire was distributed among 415 children, with a response rate of 97.3%.ResultsThe prevalence of permanent tinnitus was 10.5% and of hyperacusis was 3.3%. The hyperacusis prevalence was higher in girls (p < .05). Some children reported effects of tinnitus in terms of anxiety (20.1%), sleep (36.5%), and concentration (24.8%). When listening to personal listening devices, 33.5% of the children reported to listen for at least 1 h at 60% or higher of the volume range. Moreover, 54.9% of children stated to never wear hearing protection.ConclusionsTinnitus and hyperacusis are prevalent in children aged 9-12 years. Some of these children might be overlooked and, as such, not receiving the required follow-up or counselling. Development of guidelines for the assessment of these auditory symptoms in children would help to determine the prevalence numbers with greater accuracy. Sensibility campaigns for safe listening are warranted, as more than half of the children never use hearing protection.
| S-EPMC10155651 | biostudies-literature
Project description:PurposeMany workers in developing countries are exposed to unsafe occupational noise due to inadequate health and safety practices. We tested the hypotheses that occupational noise exposure and aging affect speech-perception-in-noise (SPiN) thresholds, self-reported hearing ability, tinnitus presence, and hyperacusis severity among Palestinian workers.MethodPalestinian workers (N = 251, aged 18-70 years) without diagnosed hearing or memory impairments completed online instruments including a noise exposure questionnaire; forward and backward digit span tests; hyperacusis questionnaire; the short-form Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ12); the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory; and a digits-in-noise (DIN) test. Hypotheses were tested via multiple linear and logistic regression models, including age and occupational noise exposure as predictors, and with sex, recreational noise exposure, cognitive ability, and academic attainment as covariates. Familywise error rate was controlled across all 16 comparisons using the Bonferroni-Holm method. Exploratory analyses evaluated effects on tinnitus handicap. A comprehensive study protocol was preregistered.ResultsNonsignificant trends of poorer SPiN performance, poorer self-reported hearing ability, greater prevalence of tinnitus, greater tinnitus handicap, and greater severity of hyperacusis as a function of higher occupational noise exposure were observed. Greater hyperacusis severity was significantly predicted by higher occupational noise exposure. Aging was significantly associated with higher DIN thresholds and lower SSQ12 scores, but not with tinnitus presence, tinnitus handicap, or hyperacusis severity.ConclusionsWorkers in Palestine may suffer from auditory effects of occupational noise and aging despite no formal diagnosis. These findings highlight the importance of occupational noise monitoring and hearing-related health and safety practices in developing countries.Supplemental materialhttps://doi.org/10.23641/asha.22056701.
| S-EPMC10205103 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Aminoglycosides (AG) antibiotics are a common treatment for recurrent infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. AGs are highly ototoxic, resulting in a range of auditory dysfunctions. It was recently shown that the acoustic startle reflex (ASR) can assess behavioral evidence of hyperacusis and tinnitus in an amikacin cochleotoxicity mouse model. The goal of this study was to establish if tobramycin treatment led to similar changes in ASR behavior and to establish whether ebselen can prevent the development of these maladaptive neuroplastic symptoms. CBA/Ca mice were divided into three groups: Group 1 served as a control and did not receive tobramycin or ebselen, Group 2 received tobramycin (200 mg/kg/s.c.) and the vehicle (DMSO/saline/i.p.) daily for 14 continuous days, and Group 3 received the same dose/schedule of tobramycin as Group 2 and ebselen at (20 mg/kg/i.p.). Auditory brainstem response (ABR) and ASR hearing assessments were collected at baseline and 2, 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks from the start of treatment. ASR tests included input/output (I/O) functions which assess general hearing and hyperacusis, and Gap-induced prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle (GPIAS) to assess tinnitus. At 18 weeks, histologic analysis showed predominantly normal appearing hair cells and spiral ganglion neuron (SGN) synapses. Following 14 days of tobramycin injections, 16 kHz thresholds increased from baseline and fluctuated over the 18-week recovery period. I/O functions revealed exaggerated startle response magnitudes in 50% of mice over the same period. Gap detection deficits, representing behavioral evidence of tinnitus, were observed in a smaller subset (36%) of animals. Interestingly, increases in ABR wave III/wave I amplitude ratios were observed. These tobramycin data corroborate previous findings that AGs can result in hearing dysfunctions. We show that a 14-day course of tobramycin treatment can cause similar levels of hearing loss and tinnitus, when compared to a 14-day course of amikacin, but less hyperacusis. Evidence suggests that tinnitus and hyperacusis might be common side effects of AG antibiotics.
| S-EPMC8440845 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Although tinnitus represents a major global burden, no causal therapy has yet been established. Ongoing controversies about the neuronal pathophysiology of tinnitus hamper efforts in developing advanced therapies. Hypothesizing that the unnoticed co-occurrence of hyperacusis and differences in the duration of tinnitus may possibly differentially influence the neural correlate of tinnitus, we analyzed 33 tinnitus patients without (T-group) and 20 tinnitus patients with hyperacusis (TH-group). We found crucial differences between the T-group and the TH-group in the increase of annoyance, complaints, tinnitus loudness, and central neural gain as a function of tinnitus duration. Hearing thresholds did not differ between T-group and TH-group. In the TH-group, the tinnitus complaints (total tinnitus score) were significantly greater from early on and the tinnitus intensity distinctly increased over time from ca. 12 to 17 dB when tinnitus persisted more than 5 years, while annoyance responses to normal sound remained nearly constant. In contrast, in the T-group tinnitus complaints remained constant, although the tinnitus intensity declined over time from ca. 27 down to 15 dB beyond 5 years of tinnitus persistence. This was explained through a gradually increased annoyance to normal sound over time, shown by a hyperacusis questionnaire. Parallel a shift from a mainly unilateral (only 17% bilateral) to a completely bilateral (100%) tinnitus percept occurred in the T-group, while bilateral tinnitus dominated in the TH-group from the start (75%). Over time in the T-group, ABR wave V amplitudes (and V/I ratios) remained reduced and delayed. By contrast, in the TH-group especially the ABR wave III and V (and III/I ratio) continued to be enhanced and shortened in response to high-level sound stimuli. Interestingly, in line with signs of an increased co-occurrence of hyperacusis in the T-group over time, ABR wave III also slightly increased in the T-group. The findings disclose an undiagnosed co-occurrence of hyperacusis in tinnitus patients as a main cause of distress and the cause of complaints about tinnitus over time. To achieve urgently needed and personalized therapies, possibly using the objective tools offered here, a systematic sub-classification of tinnitus and the co-occurrence of hyperacusis is recommended.
| S-EPMC8012887 | biostudies-literature
Project description:To systematically review studies of the epidemiology of tinnitus and hyperacusis in children and young people, in order to determine the methodological differences implicated in the variability of prevalence estimates and the influence of population characteristics on childhood tinnitus and hyperacusis.Articles were retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE and Scopus databases and from the relevant reference lists using the methods described in the study protocol, which has previously been published. Reporting Items for Systematic Review (PRISMA) guidelines were followed.Studies addressing childhood prevalence, for example, children and young people aged 5-19 years.2 reviewers independently assessed the studies for eligibility, extracted data and assessed study consistency. Owing to the heterogeneity in the methodologies among the reported studies, only narrative synthesis of the results was carried out.Having identified 1032 publications, 131 articles were selected and 25 articles met the inclusion criteria and had sufficient methodological consistency to be included. Prevalence estimates of tinnitus range from 4.7% to 46% in the general paediatric population and among children with normal hearing, and from 23.5% to 62.2% of population of children with hearing loss. Reported prevalence ranged from 6% to 41.9% when children with hearing loss and normal hearing were both included. The prevalence of hyperacusis varied from 3.2% to 17.1%.Data on prevalence vary considerably according to the study design, study population and the research question posed. The age range of children studied was varied and a marked degree of variation between definitions (tinnitus, hyperacusis) and measures (severity, perception, annoyance) was observed. The lack of consistency among studies indicates the necessity of examining the epidemiology of tinnitus and hyperacusis in children and adolescents with a set of standardised criteria.CRD42014013456.
| S-EPMC4893873 | biostudies-other