Scientific programme

These tracks provide focused pathways through emerging research, clinical innovation, and lived-experience perspectives, enabling in-depth exploration while encouraging cross-disciplinary dialogue. Spanning neuroscience, audiology, medicine, psychology, public health, and sociocultural inquiry, the track-based structure enhances coherence, supports collaboration, and helps participants navigate the programme with clarity while engaging with both established and emerging directions in sound intolerance research and care.

Scientific Tracks and Programme Structure

At ICHM8, the scientific programme is organised around a series of clearly defined thematic tracks designed to reflect the complexity and interdisciplinarity of hyperacusis and misophonia. These tracks provide structured pathways through a wide range of research, clinical, and conceptual contributions, enabling focused engagement with key domains while promoting dialogue across disciplines. By bringing together neuroscience, audiology, medicine, psychology, education, social science, and cultural perspectives, the track structure enhances coherence, supports collaboration, and helps participants navigate the programme with clarity, depth, and a shared framework for advancing understanding and care in sound intolerance.

Wednesday, 14 October 2026

09:00 doors open
09:15–09:45 Welcome & Opening Ceremony (exhibitions hall) 
10:00–10:45 Keynote Lecture(s)
10:45–11:15 Coffee Break
11:15–12:45 Scientific Session
12:45–14:00 Lunch
14:00–15:30 Scientific Session
15:30–16:00 Coffee Break
16:00–17:00 Panel Discussion

Thursday, 15 October 2026

09:30–10:30 Keynote Lecture (s)
10:30–11:00 Coffee Break
11:00–12:30 Scientific Session
12:30–14:00 Lunch
14:00–15:30 Scientific Session
15:30–16:00 Coffee Break
16:00–17:00 Debate / Panel
19:00 Conference Party  

Friday, 16 October 2026

09:30–10:15 Keynote Lecture
10:15–10:45 Coffee Break
10:45–11:30 Scientific Session
11:30–11:55 Closing Panel
11:55–12:00 Closing Remarks, Finish

Track 1: Neural Mechanisms and Cognitive-Affective Neuroscience

This track examines the neural foundations of hyperacusis and misophonia across cortical, subcortical, and network levels. It focuses on excitatory–inhibitory balance, limbic and salience systems, and links between neurobiological markers and perceptual, cognitive, and emotional symptoms. Contributions from neuroimaging, electrophysiology, experimental psychology, and genetics are encouraged.

• Cortical hyperexcitability, disinhibition, and network connectivity
• Limbic involvement, emotion regulation, and threat processing
• Cognitive control, attention, and executive function
• fMRI, EEG, MEG, and electrophysiological biomarkers
• Genetics, neurodevelopment, and sensory gating 

Track 2: Audiological Interventions and Service Innovation

This track focuses on audiologist-led assessment and management of hyperacusis and misophonia, including sound-based interventions and evolving service models. It covers clinical protocols, digital delivery, and innovations that support interdisciplinary and scalable care.

• Hearing aids, sound generators, and TRT adaptations
• Sound therapy and modified desensitisation
• Remote services, iCBT, and digital platforms
• Audiology-led clinical models
• Integrated and interprofessional care pathways

Track 3: Medical, Pharmacological, and Surgical Approaches

This track addresses biomedical perspectives on hyperacusis and misophonia, including ENT, neurological, pharmacological, and surgical management. Emphasis is placed on diagnostic clarity, safety, and emerging medical interventions, alongside dialogue with audiology and psychology.

• Middle and inner ear surgical interventions
• Pharmacological treatments and case studies
• Neurological and systemic comorbidities
• ENT and neuro-otological assessment
• Bimodal and neurostimulation approaches

Track 4: Children, Adolescents, and Neurodevelopmental Conditions

This track explores sound intolerance in paediatric and neurodivergent populations, including autism, ADHD, and related conditions. It highlights developmental impacts, family and educational contexts, and age-appropriate interventions.

• Hyperacusis and misophonia in neurodevelopmental conditions
• Effects on learning, development, and family life
• OT-informed and adapted CBT approaches
• Screening tools and school accommodations
• Early identification and intervention frameworks

Track 5: Psychological and Multimodal Therapies

This track focuses on psychological and behavioural interventions for hyperacusis and misophonia across clinical settings. It includes CBT, mindfulness-based approaches, and integrative models, with attention to mechanisms of change and personalisation.

• CBT: audiologist-led, psychologist-led, and digital
• ACT, DBT, and mindfulness-based therapies
• Group, family, and hybrid interventions
• Emotion regulation and cognitive restructuring
• Transdiagnostic and mechanism-focused models

Track 6: Sociocultural, Philosophical, and Patient Perspectives

This track centres on lived experience and the broader sociocultural context of sound intolerance. It invites qualitative, ethical, and critical perspectives that inform research, clinical care, and advocacy.

• Patient narratives and qualitative research
• Disability models and quality of life
• Sociological and anthropological perspectives
• Cultural, artistic, and philosophical approaches
• Advocacy, stigma, and identity

Track 7: Diagnostic Profiles and Psychoacoustic Assessment

This track focuses on assessment methods that support accurate diagnosis, profiling, and subtyping of hyperacusis and misophonia. It includes psychoacoustic testing, questionnaires, and measurement development for clinical and research use.

• Loudness discomfort levels and dynamic range
• Psychoacoustic testing protocols
• Questionnaire design and validation
• Differential diagnosis and sensory profiling
• Reliability and measurement precision

Track 8: Noise Sensitivity, Environmental Factors, and Public Health

This track examines population-level and environmental dimensions of sound intolerance, including noise sensitivity and auditory defensiveness. Contributions from public health, epidemiology, and environmental sciences are encouraged.

• Noise sensitivity and noise annoyance
• Auditory defensiveness and sensory over-responsiveness
• Environmental exposure and acoustic ecology
• Public health and occupational implications
• Epidemiology and prevalence studies