Purpose: For some people, exposure to everyday sounds presents a significant problem. The purpose of this tutorial was to define and differentiate between the various sound tolerance conditions and to review some options for their clinical management. Method: We informally reviewed the literature regarding sound tolerance conditions. The terminology and definitions provided are mostly consistent with how these terms are defined. However, many inconsistencies are noted. Methods of assessment and treatment also differ, and different methodologies are briefly described. Results: Hyperacusis describes physical discomfort or pain when any sound reaches a certain level of loudness that would be tolerable for most people. Misophonia refers to intense emotional reactions to certain sounds (often body sounds such as chewing and sniffing) that are not influenced by the perceived loudness of those sounds. Noise sensitivity refers to increased reactivity to sounds that may include general discomfort (annoyance or feeling overwhelmed) due to a perceived noisy environment, regardless of its loudness. Phonophobia, as addressed in the audiology profession, describes anticipatory fear of sound. Phonophobia is an emotional response such as anxiety and avoidance of sound due to the “fear” that sound(s) may occur that will cause a comorbid condition to get worse (e.g., tinnitus) or the sound itself will result in discomfort or pain. (Note that phonophobia is a term used by neurologists to describe “migraineur phonophobia”—a different condition not addressed herein.) Conclusions: The literature addresses sound tolerance conditions but reveals many inconsistencies, indicating lack of consensus in the field. When doing an assessment for decreased sound tolerance, it is important to define any terms used so that the patient and all health care professionals involved in the care of the patient are aligned with the goals of the treatment plan. Treatment generally involves gradual and systematic sound desensitization and counseling. Supplemental Material: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.20164130

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.5370883.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine progressive tinnitus management (PTM) Level 3 skill utilization among Veterans in the Bay Pines Veterans Affairs Healthcare System 6–10 years after completing the PTM workshops. Method: In fiscal year 2020, the Tinnitus Workshop Follow-Up form was mailed to Veterans who completed the workshops during fiscal years 2010–2014. Veterans were identified as receiving care via the traditional face-to-face method or clinical video telehealth (CVT). Data were compiled to determine which, if any, PTM skills were being used 6–10 years later and the impact on self-reported ratings of well-being. Results: More than half of the respondents reported using all four self-management skills up to 10 years postcompletion; relaxation was utilized by more Veterans than the other three skills. Approximately 69% reported improved ability to control reactions to tinnitus. At least half reported ratings of improved well-being. Eighty-eight percent of the respondents said they would recommend the workshops to someone with bothersome tinnitus. Veterans who received care via CVT reported using fewer skills than those who received care face-to-face; however, the CVT respondents reported the same or slightly better ability to cope with tinnitus, less bothersome tinnitus, and improved ratings of well-being. Finally, most participants who responded to an open-ended question about their workshop experience reported it as positive. Conclusions: This clinical focus project suggests that PTM Level 3 skills continue to be utilized up to 10 years after participation in the workshops. Although there were reductions in the number of skills used, Veterans' ability to manage reactions to tinnitus and improvement in self-reported ratings of well-being indicate successful ongoing tinnitus management efforts. Respondents who received care via CVT did not report lower self-reported ratings of well-being or appear less likely to recommend Level 3 group PTM to other Veterans with bothersome tinnitus.