Acoustic shock

Question 1

What is acoustic shock?

Answer 1

Caused by exposure to a sudden loud noise. Common symptoms are tinnitus, stabbing pain in the ear, facial pain and hyperacusis.

Question 2

3 factors that increase likelihood of ASI…

Answer 2

Stress as increased anxiety increases the risk of TTTS
Exposure to loud sound. Loud sounds more likely to activate tensor tympani.
Each individual has specific threshold that the tensor tympani will activate. Some can do this voluntarily. Those with lower thresholds will activate reflex in response to lower sound levels.

Question 3

Ways to reduce acoustic shock…

Answer 3

Lower stress levels to reduce likelihood of TTTS
Noise output limiting
Reduce exposure to loud noise duration of time.

Question 4

Clinical management of ASI

Answer 4

Reassurance.
CBT/TRT to reduce anxiety response.
White noise generators.
Hearing aids with compression effective to reduce loud sounds to conversational level.