Hyperacusis: Literature Review and Classification

Hyperacusis – increased sensitivity to environmental sounds – is a debilitating disorder that greatly impairs quality of life and can lead to social isolation and depression. Unlike hypoacusis, it has not been studied as deeply. The prevalence of hyperacusis and the risk factors leading to its development are unknown. Hyperacusis has no objective markers, classification, algorithms and protocols for diagnosis and treatment. Even the definition of the concept of “hyperacusis” itself is controversial. Therefore, there are difficulties in finding the causes of this condition, clinical management of patients and assessing the effectiveness of treatment methods. An analysis of literature data made it possible to compile a classification of hyperacusis, which should speed up and simplify the collection of anamnesis and the search for the cause. Given the ambiguity of the pathogenetic mechanisms, it seems appropriate to determine the type of hyperacusis, its cause and combination with other hearing disorders.