Myne S, et al. - An examination was carried out of the clinical profile of children presenting with hyperacusis in a paediatric audiology service. Additionally, experts attempted to appraise the possible underlying mechanisms. Data disclosed that hyperacusis was possibly a frequent presentation at a very young age. In order to determine the prognosis, for the purpose of counseling and in individualizing management plan, awareness regarding varying clinical presentations, the presence of other medical conditions and possible underlying pathomechanisms in children with hyperacusis could be beneficial for the clinicians.

Methods

• The scheme of this research was a retrospective study of case notes.
• Researchers analyzed data of 61 children with troublesome hyperacusis seen in the paediatric audiology service.
• Their clinical presentation and presence of other medical conditions were also gauged.

Results

• In more than half of the cases (n = 31, 51%), hyperacusis was unveiled to be the main presenting complaint.
• It was determined that the commonest age at presentation with this condition was 3-4 years (n = 33, 54%).
• Maximum children presented with normal hearing (n = 41, 67%).
• In nearly half (n = 29, 48%) of all the children, an active middle ear problem was detected, out of which glue ear (otitis media with effusion, OME) was revealed to be the commonest.
• Data exhibited the presence of a neurodevelopmental condition in approximately half (n = 28, 46%), out of which, autistic spectrum disorder was the commonest (8/61, 13%).
• It was deduced that nearly one-fourth of the children (23%) displayed the presence of both middle ear conditions and neurodevelopmental problems.
• Findings demonstrated that tinnitus was an accompanying symptom, which was reported in 11% of all the patients.