Quelle est la différence entre Spokeo et un appareil auditif ?

Spokeo n’est pas une prothèse auditive. Il s’agit d’un assistant d’écoute sans fil qui combine conduction aérienne et osseuse, pour rendre la voix de l’interlocuteur claire et intelligible. Contrairement aux appareils auditifs classiques qui nécessitent un suivi médical, Spokeo est prêt à l’emploi, sans réglage, et adapté aux personnes en perte d’autonomie.

Est-ce que Spokeo convient aux personnes âgées vivant en EHPAD ?

Oui. Spokeo est conçu pour améliorer la communication en établissement, notamment entre soignants, résidents et visiteurs. Grâce à son micro intelligent, il rend la voix de l’interlocuteur limpide dans le casque, même en environnement bruyant. C’est une alternative idéale quand l’appareillage auditif est mal toléré ou inadapté.

Spokeo fonctionne-t-il même s’il y a du bruit autour ?

Oui. Le micro intelligent de Spokeo isole la voix de l’interlocuteur en filtrant les bruits environnants. Cela permet à la personne malentendante de se concentrer sur la conversation, même dans un lieu animé comme un restaurant ou une salle commune en EHPAD.

Spokeo est-il compatible avec les appareils auditifs ?

Oui. De nombreuses personnes utilisent Spokeo en complément de leurs appareils auditifs, notamment dans les situations complexes (environnements bruyants, présence de bouchons de cérumen, perte d’autonomie). Le casque à conduction osseuse de Spokeo peut être porté sans interférer avec des aides auditives classiques.

Est-ce facile à utiliser ?

Oui. Spokeo a été conçu pour être utilisé sans réglages complexes : il suffit d’allumer le casque et le micro, qui se connectent automatiquement. Aucun smartphone n’est nécessaire, et la recharge est simple. C’est un produit prêt à l’emploi, idéal pour les proches aidants et les établissements.

À qui s’adresse Spokeo ?

Spokeo est destiné aux personnes malentendantes, en particulier celles qui ne peuvent pas ou ne veulent pas porter de prothèses auditives classiques. Il est également très utile pour les aidants, les soignants et les visiteurs souhaitant communiquer plus facilement avec une personne âgée ou en perte d’autonomie.

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Hyperacusis: understanding this hypersensitivity to sounds

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Hyperacusis: understanding this hypersensitivity to sounds

May 24, 2025

Hyperacusis definition: understanding and relieving auditory hypersensitivity

Discover what hyperacusis is, its causes, and modern solutions to relieve this hypersensitivity to sounds that affects quality of life.

Definition and mechanisms of hyperacusis

What exactly is hyperacusis?

Hyperacusis is a hearing disorder characterized by excessive sensitivity to everyday sounds. Normally tolerable noises then become painful, oppressive, or unbearable.

Differences with phonophobia and misophonia

Unlike phonophobia (fear of sounds) or misophonia (emotional reaction to certain sounds), hyperacusis is a heightened sensory perception that often results from an alteration of the central auditory system.

Physiological and neurological mechanisms

Researchers suggest that hyperacusis is linked to overactivation of the auditory pathways, generating an amplified perception of sounds, sometimes linked to a history of sound trauma.

Severity scales and assessment

Several scales (such as the Hyperacusis Questionnaire) can quantify the impact of hyperacusis on daily life, thus facilitating better clinically recognized monitoring.

Main causes and risk factors

Acoustic trauma and noise exposure

Intense and prolonged exposure to loud sounds (concerts, explosions, noisy professional environments) is among the most common causes of hyperacusis.

Associated neurological and hearing disorders

Certain disorders, such as tinnitus or auditory nerve damage, are often correlated with hyperacusis. Broader neurological pathologies may also be involved.

Psychological factors and stress

Chronic stress, anxiety, or depression are known aggravating factors. They intensify the painful perception of sounds and increase hearing discomfort.

Genetic predispositions and individual factors

Innate hearing sensitivity or family history may play a role. Each individual's unique sensory profile influences the onset or severity of the disorder.

Impact on quality of life

For some people, using a hearing aid with sound filtering technology can significantly improve their everyday hearing comfort.

Social and professional consequences

Hyperacusis is isolating. Affected individuals avoid public places, social interactions, or professional activities, risking a loss of social connection and opportunities.

Sleep disorders and chronic fatigue

Nighttime noise or auditory hypervigilance disrupts sleep, leading to chronic fatigue and a general drop in energy.

Secondary anxiety and stress

Hyperacusis generates additional stress related to fear of sounds or anticipation of sound pain, promoting a vicious cycle.

Coping and avoidance strategies

Noise-canceling headphones, social withdrawal, and shift work: these coping strategies are common but can lead to withdrawal and harm quality of life.

Diagnosis and evaluation

Specific audiological tests and examinations

A thorough hearing assessment is necessary to make a reliable diagnosis. This often includes sound tolerance threshold and hearing acuity tests.

Questionnaires and rating scales

Tools such as the HQ (Hyperacusis Questionnaire) can assess the frequency, intensity and functional impacts of the disorder in daily life.

The importance of a differential diagnosis

It is essential to distinguish hyperacusis from other hearing or neurological disorders in order to provide appropriate treatment.

Monitoring and development of hyperacusis

Regular monitoring with a healthcare professional allows therapeutic strategies to be adjusted according to the evolution of symptoms.

Technological solutions for hyperacusis

Sound Therapy and Desensitization

This approach aims to gradually retrain the brain to tolerate sounds through regular exposure to neutral or pleasant noises.

Adaptive sound filtering: principle and effectiveness

Some devices can filter out harsh sounds while still allowing human voices to pass through. This is the case with the technologies embedded in modern hearing aids.

Spokeo Technology for Hyperacusis

Thanks to its intelligent microphone and dual-conductor technology, Spokeo isolates the speaker's voice from background noise. A simple and effective solution for people who are hypersensitive to noise.