Hyperacusis is a hearing disorder involving an increased sensitivity or decreased tolerance to sound at levels that would not trouble most individuals. For the person experiencing hyperacusis everyday sounds can be unpleasant, intense, frightening, painful and overwhelming, and can cause anxiety and distress. This can have a significant effect on life. For example, it can interfere with education, the ability to work and/or participate in social and family life.
In this PSP, the NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre is working together with people who have lived experiences of hyperacusis, such as adults and children experiencing hyperacusis and parents, carers, teachers, health professionals and members of the public who work with and support those who experience hyperacusis.
By taking this collaborative approach, they want to find out what really matters most to people who have lived experiences and knowledge of hyperacusis and turn this information into priority questions for researchers to answer.