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Sound sensitivity in migraine

About this research 

The aim of the study is to understand sound sensitivity thresholds in individuals with migraine by comparing sound perception in healthy participants. The secondary aim is to determine the utility and acceptibilty of a 30-day self monitoring protocol to track daily sound sensitivity fluctuations, and identify whether patterns of sound sensitivity corrrelates with patient reported migraine activity.

Who can participate 

We're recruiting both migraine and non-migraine participants.

You'll be eligible to participate if you are:

  • above 18 years old.

For migraine participants, you're eligible to participate if you:

  • have a minimum of 1 migraine attack per month.

You're ineligible to participate if you have:

  • fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome or long COVID, as these conditions predisposes individuals to increased sensitivity
  • severe auditory impairment or an active ear infection. 

What’s involved 

You'll be asked to:

  • visit our laboratory at UQ St Lucia 
  • listen to different sounds and rate how comfortable or uncomfortable they feel. 

Participants can skip any sound they do not want to hear, and can stop at any time.

Benefits of participating 

You'll receive a summary of your personal sound sensitivity results to keep.

How to participate 

If you meet the eligibility criteria and you're interested in participating, complete the relevant survey.

For migraine participants For non-migraine participants

Ethics approval

This study has been approved by The University of Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee [Approval No.2026/HE011298].

Contact 

For any questions, contact Dr Zhiqi Liang: