University of Central Florida
The main goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness, benefits, and post-treatment persistence of an intervention for loudness hyperacusis in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does the intervention increase loudness tolerance * Does the intervention reduce symptoms related to loudness hyperacusis Researchers will compare measures related to loudness hyperacusis before, during, and after the intervention. Participants will: * Be randomly assigned to either one of two groups. One group will receiver the intervention immediately. This group will be evaluated during the 6-month intervention and evaluated for 6 months after the end of the intervention. The other group will be evaluated for 6 months before the intervention and during the 6-month intervention. * Visit the test site once every month over the course of a year for evaluation and intervention activities * Keep a diary of their symptoms and the number of hours per day they engage in the intervention
Background: Loudness hyperacusis, "an unusual intolerance to the loudness of ordinary environmental sounds," is a core feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as recognized by the American Psychiatric Association. Loudness hyperacusis affects 37 to 46% of autistic people, yet despite this pervasiveness, there is no standard treatment and the evidence supporting existing treatments is low. The lack of effective treatment is consistent with weak evidence for successful interventions for other sensory deficits associated with ASD. Combined with sound-related discomfort, annoyance, anxiety, fear…
Inclusion Criteria * Adults age 18 to 39 years * Autism spectrum disorder * Mild-to-severe loudness hyperacusis indicated by a score ≥ 22 on the Hyperacusis Questionnaire (HQ) and LDLs for tones ≤ 80 dB HL at two or more audiometric frequencies in at least one ear. * No more than slight or mild sensorineural hearing loss from 250 to 8000 Hz * Normal tympanograms consistent with normal middle ear function * Normal "tone" decay response for "comfortable but soft" broadband noise * Ability understand informed consent in English * Availability and willingness to conform to the study visit schedul…
The TIHA consists of three components: 1) structured counseling, 2) protective sound management, and 3) therapeutic sound. Structured counseling is to prepare the participant to transition from their current state, which most often involves counterproductive overuse of hearing protection devices and corresponding self-imposed sound isolation. Protective sound management limits exposure to sounds that are too loud for the individual participant while promoting and maximizing healthy exposure to safe and comfortable sound levels. This is achieved through custom fitting of the intervention hearing aid devices. Active sound therapy consists of soft, "seashell" - like noise delivered by the intervention devices at an individualized soft but comfortable level.