TY - JOUR
T1 - Hearing impairment and traumatic brain injury among soldiers
T2 - Special considerations for the audiologist
AU - Myers, Paula J.
AU - Wilmington, Debra J.
AU - Gallun, Frederick J.
AU - Henry, James A.
AU - Fausti, Stephen A.
PY - 2009/2
Y1 - 2009/2
N2 - The increased use of explosive devices and mines in warfare and excessive noise of weapons has created an unprecedented amount of auditory dysfunction among soldiers. Blast-related injuries may damage the auditory processing and/or balance centers resulting in hearing loss, dizziness, tinnitus, and/or central auditory processing disorders. Some also lead to traumatic brain injury (TBI), postconcussive syndrome (PCS), and/or posttraumatic stress disorder. Some PCS symptoms such as dizziness, loss of balance, hearing difficulty, and noise sensitivity also can signify auditory or vestibular dysfunction and should not be obscured with the PCS package. This article provides information about the mechanisms of blast injury with emphasis on auditory dysfunction and TBI. Audiologists must be prepared to identify those at risk for TBI or mental health problems and adapt audiologic clinical practices to this population. An interdisciplinary comprehensive evaluation of peripheral, central, and vestibular components of the auditory system should be employed in patients with TBI to ensure that auditory dysfunction is accurately diagnosed and that appropriate rehabilitation can be performed.
AB - The increased use of explosive devices and mines in warfare and excessive noise of weapons has created an unprecedented amount of auditory dysfunction among soldiers. Blast-related injuries may damage the auditory processing and/or balance centers resulting in hearing loss, dizziness, tinnitus, and/or central auditory processing disorders. Some also lead to traumatic brain injury (TBI), postconcussive syndrome (PCS), and/or posttraumatic stress disorder. Some PCS symptoms such as dizziness, loss of balance, hearing difficulty, and noise sensitivity also can signify auditory or vestibular dysfunction and should not be obscured with the PCS package. This article provides information about the mechanisms of blast injury with emphasis on auditory dysfunction and TBI. Audiologists must be prepared to identify those at risk for TBI or mental health problems and adapt audiologic clinical practices to this population. An interdisciplinary comprehensive evaluation of peripheral, central, and vestibular components of the auditory system should be employed in patients with TBI to ensure that auditory dysfunction is accurately diagnosed and that appropriate rehabilitation can be performed.
KW - Auditory dysfunction
KW - Central auditory processing disorders
KW - Polytrauma
KW - Tinnitus
KW - Traumatic brain injury
KW - Vestibular dysfunction
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=67749137303&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=67749137303&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1055/s-0028-1111103
DO - 10.1055/s-0028-1111103
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:67749137303
SN - 0734-0451
VL - 30
SP - 5
EP - 27
JO - Seminars in Hearing
JF - Seminars in Hearing
IS - 1
ER -