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Chronic Back Pain Tied to Auditory Hypersensitivity

Pain reprocessing therapy produced small but measurable reductions in cross-modal sensory amplification, pointing to a broader neurological signature of chronic back pain than previously recognized.

  • By

  • Kerri Miller

  • March 3, 2026

  • 5 min

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  • 1

    Adults with chronic back pain rated aversive sounds as more unpleasant than pain-free controls, indicating heightened auditory sensitivity.

  • 2

    The study involved 142 adults with chronic back pain and 51 matched controls, focusing on multisensory sensitivity beyond fibromyalgia.

  • 3

    Pain reprocessing therapy significantly reduced auditory unpleasantness in chronic back pain patients compared to placebo and usual care.

  • 4

    Neuroimaging revealed greater activation in auditory regions and insula for chronic back pain patients during sound stimulation.

  • 5

    Findings suggest that auditory hyperresponsivity in chronic pain may be modifiable, highlighting the dynamic nature of sensory amplification.

Original Source(s)

Chronic Back Pain Tied to Auditory Hypersensitivity

  • by Kerri Miller

  • March 3, 2026

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