Table 2.

The top 28 ranked questions from interim prioritisation survey

Rank	Research question	Summed responses for each stakeholder group
		Person with hyperacusis	Parents/carers/family	Prof~
1	What is the most effective treatment approach for hyperacusis in adults?	60	6	80
2	Which treatment approaches are most effective for different types or severities of hyperacusis?	51	6	77
3	Does avoidance of sound improve hyperacusis or make it worse?	60	8	51
4	Is hyperacusis related to physical changes in the ear or brain?	69	3	46
5	Is hyperacusis due to physical or psychological issues or is it a combination of both?	41	7	65
6	Which psychological therapy (eg, counselling, cognitive–behavioural therapy, mindfulness) is most effective for hyperacusis?	18	7	85
7	What are the ‘red flags’ for serious underlying conditions in hyperacusis?	28	7	68
8	Which criteria should be met to diagnose hyperacusis in adults/children?	25	5	71
9	What area(s) of the brain and patterns of activity is/are associated with hyperacusis?	51	4	46
10	What is the most effective treatment approach for hyperacusis in children?	10	7	83
11	What are the risk factors for developing hyperacusis or making it worse?	37	3	54
12	What is the best way of using sound in therapy for hyperacusis?	20	2	71
13	What is the essential knowledge/training required for health professionals to appropriately refer or effectively manage hyperacusis?	27	5	57
14	What management approach for hyperacusis is most effective for adults/children with autism?	8	5	74
15	Is there an association between hyperacusis and other ear-related conditions (eg, superior canal dehiscence syndrome, Meniere's, Waardenburg syndrome, vertigo, vestibular migraines)?	36	3	43
16	What is the best way to differentiate hyperacusis from other hearing conditions (eg, recruitment, misophonia, Meniere's, tinnitus)?	30	3	48
17	Which self-help interventions are effective for hyperacusis?	40	7	34
18	Is hyperacusis linked to other sensitivities/conditions?	34	11	34
19	Does nerve damage cause the pain associated with hyperacusis?	60	5	11
20	What is the prevalence of hyperacusis in a general population and other specific populations (eg, people with autism, mental health issues, learning disabilities, hearing loss)?	17	3	54
21	Which drugs are effective for hyperacusis?	45	3	26
22	Can noise exposure cause hyperacusis (or make it worse)?	59	6	9
23	Which interventions in a school setting are useful for children with hyperacusis?	11	7	54
24	Would restoring hearing (eg, regenerating nerve cells) improve hyperacusis?	56	5	6
25	Are there different meaningful types of hyperacusis?	23	3	40
26	What is the relationship between mental health and hyperacusis?	20	6	40
27	What care is most effective for recent onset/acute hyperacusis?	30	1	34
28	What is the association between hyperacusis and dementia?*	16	0	9

*Additional question on dementia with lower ranking included at final workshop as per a priori criteria set by steering group.

~, weighted professionals score; Prof, healthcare and educational professionals.