February 26, 2024, by Adele Horobin

Sound-sensitivity in children

Is your child sensitive to sound?

Please help us test a new clinical questionnaire.

What is sound-sensitivity?

Sound-sensitivity (also known as hyperacusis) is common in children. It is where they experience distress or pain when hearing some everyday sounds. For example, they may struggle with the normal sounds present at home (e.g. hoover) and outside (e.g. traffic, crowded areas), nursery and school (e.g. the dinner hall), attending fun classes and parties. It can also make it difficult for the child to build friendships and learn well at school. This can have a severe impact on their quality of life and mental health.

What will our study do?

Despite the fact that clinicians routinely see children with sound-sensitivity, there are no child-appropriate measures to assess it. This study works with clinicians and parents to design and test a questionnaire for assessing sound-sensitivity in children. Having such a questionnaire will:

• Assist clinicians in the assessment of sound-sensitivity before and after treatment.
• Enable research into more effective treatments for sound-sensitivity in children.

How can I help?

Please complete the new questionnaire if you look after a child who is:

• between 2 and 11 years old
• sensitive to some sounds (for example hoover, blender, traffic noise, school bell).

For more details:

Participant Information Sheet for parents/guardians

To take part:

 

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