Coexistence of tinnitus and hyperacusis in individuals with auditory dys-synchrony: A single case study

Certain clinical pathologies affecting the ear and hearing mechanism may co-exist. It
is necessary to probe in detail into such conditions so that the pathophysiology is well
understood. This research paper through a single case study tries to explain the probable
pathophysiology behind coexistence of three different clinical conditions namely auditory
dys-synchrony, hyperacusis and tinnitus. These conditions are common in the clinics, but
the coexistence of all the three is rare and demands explanation beyond what is available
in the literature. The assumed model highlights involvement of the outer hair cell's motor
function in the cochlea along with the auditory central gain mechanism to explain possible
pathophysiology behind coexistence of the three conditions. This model will provide insight
into the probable link between the contribution of peripheral and central structures of
hearing in generating tinnitus and hyperacusis in individuals having auditory dys-synchrony.