Toward Development of a Mobile Assessment and Differential Diagnosis of Auditory Dysfunction: Hidden Hearing Loss and Central Auditory Processing Disorders
Abstract
The short-term objective of this proposal is to examine the utility of a recently-developed test measure called Time Compressed Digits (TCD) to reveal auditory dysfunction by examining relationships between performance on the TCD, self-reported hearing difficulties, and laboratory assessments of "hidden hearing loss" (HHL) and auditory processing disorders (APD). The proposed research will test Veterans separated from the military within the previous five years with no more than a mild hearing loss as a preliminary step toward further test development in both active-duty and clinical populations. Performance on the TCD task will be related to self-reported difficulties with hearing in everyday life as measured by the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ-12). Additionally, based on auditory behavioral and electrophysiological assessment, a statistical model will be developed to predict deficits in outer hair cell function, synaptic/neuronal function, central auditory processing, and working memory based on an individuals age and their performance on the TCD task. Development of an objective and simple-to-administer test of speech understanding that is sensitive to subtle impairments in the auditory system would provide VA audiologists with evidence-based guidance for assessing the communication difficulties of Veterans without significant threshold shifts who nevertheless report increased listening effort or difficultly in challenging listening situations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1148595
Entities
People
- Michelle Molis
Organizations
- VA Portland Health Care System