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Performance on tests of central auditory processing by individuals exposed to high-intensity blasts.
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Performance on tests of central auditory processing by individuals exposed to high-intensity blasts Frederick J. Gallun, PhD; Anna C. Diedesch, AuD; Lina R. Kubli, MS; Therese C. Walden, AuD; Robert L. Folmer, PhD; M. Samantha Lewis, PhD; Daniel J. McDermott, MS; Stephen A. Fausti, PhD; Marjorie R. Leek, PhD
Aim • Compare performance on behavioral and electrophysiological tests of central auditory function between individuals who have and have not recently experienced high-explosive blast. • Relevance • Auditory evaluation typically focuses on peripheral auditory system damage, but prevalence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) among those exposed to high-intensity blasts suggests that central auditory system damage is an equally important concern.
Methods • Subjects: • 36 blast-exposed (19 with mild TBI diagnosis and 17 without TBI diagnosis). • 29 non-blast-exposed (controls). • Testing: • Interview and audiometric evaluation. • Behavioral: Frequency Patterns (FP), Gaps-In-Noise (GIN), Masking Level Difference (MLD), Dichotic Digits (DD), Staggered Spondaic Words (SSW). • Electrophysiological: Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR), Long Latency Responses (LLRs).
Results (a) Percentage of blast-exposed and control subjects who demonstrated abnormal performance on at least one subtest or component of each behavioral test. (b) Percentage of subjects who performed abnormally on from 0 to 5 behavioral tests.
Conclusion • Performance on these tests was not strongly correlated with mild TBI diagnosis. • Performing SSW, MLD, or GIN tests may provide insight into likelihood of impairment to central auditory functions.