Audiology features archive for July 2026
When everyday sounds are unbearable: understanding pain and loudness hyperacusis
Everyday sounds can feel unbearably loud or physically painful for people with hyperacusis, a complex disorder that may require tailored, cautious care. Hyperacusis is a disorder in which everyday sounds are experienced as uncomfortable or intolerable. For some people, sounds...
PLUM: using parent observations to identify persistent otitis media
Can parent observations help identify persistent otitis media sooner? PLUM uses everyday listening behaviours to flag children who may need urgent specialist care. Otitis media (OM) remains one of the most persistent health inequities facing Indigenous children globally. While prevalence...
Cochlear implantation and identity in Deaf families
Cochlear implants are one of ENT’s great success stories. But for some families, the decision to implant is far more complex than audiology alone. When we talk about cochlear implantation, we often lead with the science. Candidacy criteria, age at...
The missing link: how migraine neurophysiology amplifies tinnitus
This article discusses an emerging hypothesis linking bothersome tinnitus with migraine-related sensory processing dysfunction. When evaluating patients with tinnitus, a range of contrasting experiences are noted, from mild, non-bothersome symptoms to those associated with significant distress – broadly corresponding to...
Getting the message right on hearing loss and dementia
Are we reaching a consensus on how hearing professionals should talk about hearing loss and dementia? In 2024, the British Society of Audiology (BSA), in collaboration with the British Academy of Audiology (BAA) and the British Society of Hearing Aid...


