Inayat Sidhu, Sean Takamoto Kashiwagura B.S., Kelly N. Jahn, AuD. Ph.D. – Clinical Measures of Hyperacusis are Insufficient for Characterizing Sound-Induced Pain 

Poster Presented at the Undergraduate Research Scholar Awards 2023

This study aimed to examine the efficacy of the Hyperacusis Questionnaire (HQ) and evaluate its utility in relation to participants’ loudness discomfort levels. We found substantial variability in HQ scores amongst patients who experience sound-induced pain (noxacusis). Moreover, there was no significant correlation between loudness discomfort levels and HQ scores amongst a subset of participants who were evaluated in the laboratory. These results suggest that a popular clinical questionnaire and traditional loudness perception tests do not fully capture the extent of subjective complaints amongst individuals suffering from hyperacusis and sound-induced pain.

Chelsea Koach, B.S., Kelly N. Jahn, AuD. Ph.D. – Audiological Diagnosis and Management of Hyperacusis in the United States

Poster Presented at the American Academy of Audiology Conference 2023

Hyperacusis (decreased sound tolerance) often leads to devastating psychosocial consequences, but there is no standard protocol for its diagnosis or management. In this study, we surveyed clinical audiologists across the United States (US) to understand their prior education and current clinical protocols regarding hyperacusis diagnosis and management. This poster highlights preliminary findings from 64 audiologists who represent 20 different states and a variety of employment settings. Full survey findings may be accessed through Jahn & Koach (2023).

Sean Kashiwagura, B.S., Marianne Awad, B.S., Kelly N. Jahn, Au.D., Ph.D. – Patient Perspectives on Living With Pain Hyperacusis

Poster Presented at the American Auditory Society Conference 2024

Hyperacusis is a multifaceted auditory disorder that is characterized by reduced tolerance to sounds that do not bother most people. The quality and severity of hyperacusis symptoms vary from person-to-person. Some individuals perceive moderate intensity sounds as uncomfortably loud (loudness hyperacusis), whereas others report physical pain in response to everyday sounds (pain hyperacusis). Although the pain hyperacusis subtype is acknowledged in the literature, its prevalence, characteristics, and underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. In this qualitative study, we sought to characterize the lived experience of pain hyperacusis from the patient perspective. 

Karlee R. Doak, B.S., Tanvi Thakkar, Ph.D., Kelly N. Jahn, Au.D., Ph.D. – Professional Experiences in Audiology are Impacted by Gender Identity

Poster Presented at the American Auditory Society Conference 2024

More than 83% of AAA memberships identifies as female, yet audiology students, professors, and clinicians are still experiences gender bias in the field. The data allows us to better understand the common trends of gender bias throughout academic settings, clinics, and workplace environments. Early career professionals must navigate career advancement while facing additional gender-related stereotypes, unconscious biases, and social pressures. 

Karlee R. Doak, B.S., Tanvi Thakkar, Ph.D., Kelly N. Jahn, Au.D., Ph.D. – Gender Identity Shapes Professional Experiences in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Poster Presented at the SOAR Conference, UT-Dallas, 2023

More than 95% of American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) membership identifies as female, men receive doctoral degrees, faculty positions, and leadership roles at disproportionately higher rates than women. Karlee surveyed the field of communication sciences and disorders (CSD) to determine the challenges and/or barriers that audiologist and speech-language pathologists experience.