Funding from the U.S. Army will help a University of Texas at Dallas auditory neuroscientist investigate why the majority of people with autism spectrum disorder are unusually sensitive to sound — research that could lead to new and more effective treatments. The condition is particularly prevalent among people with autism, which affects 3.5 million Americans, including some 35,000 U.S. military dependents. In addition, more than 2.3 million veterans are affected by hearing loss or tinnitus; those conditions are often comorbid with hyperacusis. Objectively diagnosing hyperacusis is difficult, and the connection between it and autism is unclear. “Hyperacusis can occur independent of autism, but few people recognize it unless you put it in that context,” Jahn said.