Pain hyperacusis (or noxacusis) causes physical pain often described as an "ice pick" or knifelike sensation that shoots deep inside the ear and explodes or radiates through the head and face. Image: Sparker/stock.adobe.com. Melbourne audiologist Myriam Westcott is calling for audiologists, clinicians and hyperacusis patients to join an international hyperacusis research group that she is coordinating....
No actionable practice change yet; audiologists who treat hyperacusis or noxacusis patients should consider joining the network to contribute data and stay informed as research develops.
Noxacusis (pain hyperacusis) is a severely disabling condition with almost no evidence-based treatment guidelines, and a dedicated collaborative network could accelerate the research needed to fill that gap.
- 01Melbourne audiologist Myriam Westcott is leading recruitment for the Hyperacusis Collaborative Research Network.
- 02The network specifically targets pain hyperacusis (noxacusis) — a form causing severe ear and head pain, distinct from loudness hyperacusis.
- 03Both audiologists and patients are being recruited, suggesting a patient-partnered research design.
- 04Noxacusis remains an under-researched and poorly understood condition with limited clinical guidance.