June 2022 Issue 163

Page 57

SOUND ADVICE

AUDIO ANALGESIA

A

Terence Miranda, AuD, RAUD, RHIP Doctor of Audiology Resonance Hearing Clinic www.resonance hearingclinic.com

udio analgesia is the practice of utilizing sound to reduce pain. It was introduced in 1959 by Gardiner and Licklider and consisted of the delivery of two types of sound: music selected by the patient and a variation of white noise set at a very high volume. The fundamental idea was that focusing on the music helped the patient to relax and the noise would be loud enough to distract one’s attention from focusing on the pain. Audio analgesia has been utilized to relieve pain in anything from dental

procedures to childbirth. While some of the effects of audio analgesia are likely due to cross-sensory masking, where intense stimulation of one of our senses will detract from the stimulation of another, the music component of the treatment is more of a psychological factor, helping patients to relax and reduce anxiety. Because the patient can adjust the volume, this active participation gives some sense of control over the situation, further reducing anxiety. Studies have shown varying success over the years

and the practice of audio analgesia has been largely discontinued, in part because the mechanism of action was poorly understood and in part because it was not effective for all patients nor all types of pain. The clinicians at Resonance Hearing also express significant concern about permanently damaging one’s ears by masking a loud sound (e.g. dental drill) with an even louder one. On a personal note, and as one who is keenly aware of sound, I find that filtered earplugs (which reduce the

overall level of sound), helps to manage any anxiety when visiting the dental office. It gives me a sense of control over the sound while still allowing me to communicate with the dental professional. Some of the principles of audio analgesia are highly applicable to how we manage tinnitus. Tinnitus is a sound that one hears but which has no external stimulus and is often described as a ringing, hissing or buzzing sound. The use of sounds (albeit at a much softer level) to manage tinnitus and reduce anxiety and stress are evidence based methods which have shown to reduce the negative effects of tinnitus. It is interesting to explore the largely discontinued practice of audio analgesia because it serves as a reminder that sound (either the addition of or reduction of) can be effectively used to reduce anxiety and discomfort in a variety of situations.

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June Forecasts

6min
page 77

Our Brains’ Ability Beyond Childhood Development

3min
page 71

Spiritual Blueprint - Listening for Intention and Purpose

3min
page 76

An Ounce of Prevention

2min
page 70

Soulful Saturday with Kathryn Lowther CFS for the Soul

2min
page 69

The Mind-Gut Connection

2min
page 68

Summer Tutoring for Mathematics & Literacy

2min
page 67

Enhancing the Ability to Learn through Movement

3min
pages 64-65

The Dark Before the Dawn - Caregiving a Struggling Teen

2min
page 61

Feather and Stone Jewelry

1min
page 60

Gertrude the Gunnel

1min
page 59

Sound Advice - Audio Analgesia

2min
page 57

4 Healthy Hacks for Glowing Summer Skin

1min
page 56

Cowichan Bay Volunteer Fire Rescue

2min
page 55

Summer Skin Safety

2min
page 54

New Poetry Anthology Explores Our Relationship with Trees

4min
pages 52-53

Cut Flower Gardening for the Home Gardener

2min
page 45

The Benefits of Soil Bacteria

2min
page 44

Downtown Duncan Arts Pages

4min
pages 42-43

Why we Love our Dads

3min
pages 40-41

Cowichan Father’s Day Gift Guide

1min
page 39

A Gift of Love

2min
page 38

Navigating Complicated Times with Kundalini Yoga

2min
page 37

Westholme Tea Tasting Workshop

2min
page 36

Celebrate Summer by Grilling up some Seafood

2min
page 30

A Way to Support Healthiest Babies Possible

1min
page 34

Urban Forest Bistro: Lunch Review

4min
page 35

Wine Glasses: Demystified

2min
page 27

Growing Tomatoes

1min
page 22

The Best Beef Steaks are Dry Aged

2min
page 29

Dance Temple Cowichan

2min
page 21

Sharing A Gift: The Art of Dion Daniels

2min
page 20

Arts This Month

2min
page 9

Islands Folk Festival Looking for Volunteers

1min
page 10

Coastal Bliss Adventures

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pages 6-7

Volunteer Cowichan Aging Well Seniors’ Expo

2min
page 15

Explore Chemainus

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pages 12-13

Why We Should Read “Heart Berries”

2min
page 18

June Events

2min
page 5

Rhythmic Living

1min
page 11
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