Selective Sound Sensitivity: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 06:23, 15 August 2010
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Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome or 4S is a psychological condition named by Dr. Marsha Johnson, in the late 1990s.
Definition
Typical symptoms of 4S include strong negative reactions to various auditory 'triggers' including softer sounds such as eating noises, breathing sounds, chewing, slurping, or lip smacking. Onset is typically around ages 8-14 years old and can intensify over time to include more triggers. 4S appears to persist through a person's lifetime and at present there is no cure or medication that has been shown to be effective in abating the symptoms.
Medical evaluation often includes primary care physician exam, otolaryngology exam, audiology assessment, and psychological evaluation. Generally speaking, 4S is not directly associated with any other diagnosed condition, however, a survey of 100 4S sufferers found 17 % had been diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder.
Triggers can be auditory or visual. Or a combination. There are no objective tests for 4S, it is diagnosed based on case history and reported symptoms. A rare condition, it has nothing to do with hyperacusis or hearing loss.
Misophonia (hatred of sound) is a related condition wherein people detest and dislike sounds of all types. 4S is specifically characterized by a strong visceral reaction to specific trigger sounds, often by specific individuals.
Treatment Options
To date the most hopeful approaches have included a combination of the use of broadband signal generators and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). The CBT should be undertaken by an experienced clinician who is able to help the 4S patient learn to reframe beliefs and behaviors.
Research
Figure 1: Survey of 100 Internet Support Group Participants with 4S Symptoms
| Gender | Percent |
|---|---|
| Female | 72.0% |
| Male | 28.0% |
| Age of Onset | Percent |
|---|---|
| Under 5 | 3.1% |
| 5 to 9 | 29.9% |
| 9 to 13 | 36.1% |
| 13 to 20 | 20.6% |
| 21+ | 11.3% |
| Primary Trigger Sounds | Percent |
|---|---|
| Eating noises (smacking, chewing, gum-chewing) | 92.0% |
| Breathing noises (nose, sniffling sounds) | 8.0% |
| Medical Providers Consulted for Symptoms | Percent |
|---|---|
| General doctor | 52.4% |
| Specialist ENT | 23.8% |
| Psychologist | 60.3% |
| Psychiatrist | 34.9% |
| Audiologist | 28.6% |
References
http://audiology.advanceweb.com/Article/Selective-Sound-Sensitivity-Syndrome.aspx
http://selective-sound-sensitivity-syndrome.meetup.com/