Phenotypes and Neural Mechanisms of Hyperacusis

Sound tolerance disorders, particularly hyperacusis, are increasingly recognized as heterogeneous conditions involving altered responses to everyday sounds. However, the clinical and neurobiological distinctions between loudness hyperacusis and pain hyperacusis remain incompletely understood, and their relationship with related conditions such as misophonia, tinnitus, and other sound tolerance disorders is still debated. Recent studies suggest that differences in auditory processing, affective and autonomic reactivity, sensory gain, and central neural networks may contribute to distinct hyperacusis phenotypes. Research using acoustic reflex measurements, pupillometry, electrophysiology, behavioral paradigms, and neuroimaging is beginning to identify potential biomarkers, but findings remain variable across studies. Further investigation is needed to establish reliable phenotypic definitions, clarify underlying mechanisms, and determine how findings from animal models and human research can be integrated.This Research Topic aims to advance the characterization of hyperacusis phenotypes and their underlying neural, physiological, and behavioral mechanisms. We welcome research that examines whether loudness hyperacusis and pain hyperacusis represent distinct conditions or points along a shared spectrum, and studies that identify reliable measures for differentiating these phenotypes from misophonia and other sound tolerance disorders. We also encourage investigations of the neural circuits, sensory processes, autonomic responses, and clinical factors associated with hyperacusis, as well as work that may support improved assessment and future treatment development. Contributions addressing patient-reported outcomes, quality of life, comorbidities, and the clinical presentation of hyperacusis and related sound tolerance disorders across different patient populations are also welcome.To gather further insights into the phenotypic heterogeneity and mechanisms of hyperacusis, this Research Topic will consider human and animal research using behavioral, physiological, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging approaches. We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:o Neuroanatomical and functional bases of loudness hyperacusis and pain hyperacusiso Task-based fMRI studies differentiating loudness hyperacusis from misophoniao Animal models and experimental studies of hyperacusiso EEG and other electrophysiological studies of hyperacusiso Behavioral and psychophysical measures of hyperacusiso Acoustic reflex and auditory-processing measureso Pupillometry and autonomic responses to soundo Clinical and perceptual characteristics of hyperacusis phenotypeso Biomarkers and mechanistic models of sound tolerance disorderso Relationships among hyperacusis, misophonia, tinnitus, and related conditionso Patient-reported outcomes, quality of life, and comorbidities associated with hyperacusis and related sound tolerance disorderso Clinical presentation and assessment of hyperacusis across diverse patient populations Topic editors: Fatima T Husain, Julia Campbell, Kelly Jahn, Claudia Coelho Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83731/phenotypes-and-neural-mechanisms-of-hyperacusis