DALLAS, TEXAS — A University of Texas at Dallas auditory neuroscientist, Dr. Kelly Jahn, is set to receive an $850,000 grant from the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command to investigate why individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often exhibit heightened sensitivity to sound, a condition known as hyperacusis.
Dr. Jahn’s research aims to uncover biomarkers for hyperacusis, potentially leading to more effective treatments.
Investigating Possible Biomarkers for Hyperacusis
Kelly Jahn, AuD, PhD. Image credit: UTD
Hyperacusis is characterized by an increased sensitivity to everyday sounds, which can cause discomfort or pain. It is particularly prevalent among individuals with ASD, a condition affecting approximately 3.5 million Americans, including military dependents.
Hyperacusis often coexists with hearing loss or tinnitus, conditions that affect over 2.3 million veterans.
Diagnosing hyperacusis objectively is challenging, and its connection to ASD remains unclear. Dr. Jahn seeks to identify a potential mechanism behind hyperacusis, enabling the development of monitoring methods for its symptoms. Animal studies suggest that damage to the auditory system may lead to enhanced responses to sound in the brain and central nervous system, potentially indicating hyperactivity.
Dr. Jahn’s research team plans to collect data from four groups, including autistic and non-autistic young adults with and without hyperacusis. They will use techniques such as electroencephalograms (EEG), pupil size changes, and sweat secretions to measure responses to sound and emotional arousal.
The study’s results will pave the way for future research and may clarify whether treatments effective for non-autistic individuals can also benefit those with ASD. One common treatment for hyperacusis involves cognitive behavioral therapy combined with exposure to sound, but this approach does not work for everyone, especially those who experience physical pain when exposed to sound.
Seeking an Objective Measure for Hyperacusis
Dr. Jahn’s ultimate goal is to establish an objective diagnostic measure for hyperacusis, reducing reliance on patients’ subjective feedback. This is particularly crucial for children with ASD, who may struggle to communicate their experiences effectively.
Hyperacusis research is complicated by the range of conditions associated with sound sensitivity, including tinnitus, post-traumatic stress disorder, migraines, and traumatic brain injury.
Dr. Jahn received a three-year National Institutes of Health grant in 2021 to identify physiological biomarkers in individuals with hyperacusis, with the hope of developing new clinical diagnostic tools for evaluating sound intolerance.
Source: UTD
