%0 Journal Article
%T Audiological issues and hearing loss among Veterans with mild traumatic brain injury
%A Michael Oleksiak
%A Bridget M. Smith
%A PhD
%A Justin R. St. Andre
%A MA
%A Carly M. Caughlan
%A AuD
%J Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development
%D 2012
%I Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, Department of Veterans Affairs
%R 10.1682/jrrd.2011.01.000
%X We examined the prevalence, severity, etiology, and treatment of audiology problems among Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) Veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). A retrospective chart review was performed of 250 Veterans with mild TBI. Results of a comprehensive second-level mild TBI evaluation and subsequent visits to audiology were evaluated. We found the vast majority (87%) of Veterans reported some level of hearing disturbance and those involved in blast injuries reported a higher incidence of hearing disturbance than those with other injury etiologies. Audiology referrals were given to 75 Veterans and 37 attended. At this visit, Veterans reported tinnitus (75.7%) and hearing loss (59.8%). Nearly half (48.6%) of Veterans were diagnosed with conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, or central auditory dysfunction. An additional 24.3% of Veterans had subclinical levels of auditory dysfunction. Our study has highlighted the increased prevalence of hearing loss among OIF/OEF Veterans and, thus, the need for appropriate referrals and treatment. Strategies to address perceived stigma associated with hearing loss may increase attendance at follow-up visits. Additionally, while only a third of audiograms were found to be abnormal, advanced testing resulted in a significant percentage of our population being diagnosed with auditory dysfunction.
%K adult
%K audiology
%K auditory dysfunction
%K blast injuries
%K brain injuries
%K hearing
%K hearing loss
%K mTBI
%K tinnitus
%K Veterans
%K wounds and injuries
%U http://www.rehab.research.va.gov/jour/2012/497/pdf/oleksiak497.pdf