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This review discusses the impact of blast exposure on central auditory function, with a focus on identifying auditory dysfunction in affected individuals. The authors emphasize the need for refined clinical tests to detect central auditory issues in blast-exposed populations and the development of effective treatment strategies. Recommendations include correlating abnormal test performance with patient-reported difficulties, employing advanced imaging technologies, and validating existing tests for comprehensive assessments. The findings highlight a significant gap in evidence and the necessity for new approaches in assessing auditory disorders in veterans and other affected populations.
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Implications of blast exposure for central auditory function Frederick J. Gallun, PhD; M. Samantha Lewis, PhD; Robert L. Folmer, PhD; Anna C. Diedesch, AuD; Lina R. Kubli, MS; Daniel J. McDermott, MS; Therese C. Walden, AuD; Stephen A. Fausti, PhD; Henry L. Lew, MD, PhD; Marjorie R. Leek, PhD
Aim • Review literature on blast exposure in context of central auditory system functions. • Relevance • Further work must refine battery of clinical tests sensitive to central auditory dysfunction observed in individuals with blast exposure. • Treatments include low-gain hearing aids, remote-microphone technology, and auditory-training regimens, but clinical evidence does not yet exist for recommending one or more of these options.
Results • Recommendations: • Determine degree to which abnormal performance on central auditory tests correlates with patient complaints and difficulties in more naturalistic environments. • Develop clinical measures to determine whether patient complaining of communication difficulties has (primarily) auditory disorder or deficits in other domains, e.g., attention and memory. • Make use of powerful new imaging technologies to better understand neural underpinnings of rehabilitative techniques that produce beneficial functional outcomes.
Conclusion • Little evidence exists indicating which tests and therapies should be used to comprehensively diagnose and rehabilitate central auditory dysfunction potentially afflicting Veterans exposed to high-intensity blasts. • Other populations with central auditory impairments would also benefit if currently available tests and techniques were experimentally validated and new approaches were developed.