Effects of Blast Exposure on the Auditory Systems of Deployed Navy and Marine Corps Personnel
Abstract
Military personnel who deploy to battle zones are at risk for adverse auditory outcomes, as observed in the burgeoning cost of disability claims; yet, previous studies have been unable to establish associations between unique noise exposures observed in the theater of war, such as blast, and adverse auditory outcomes. These are important questions for the Department of Defense, as the total annual expense to deliver hearing healthcare services and compensate Veterans for auditory injury has recently been estimated to exceed $2 billion annually. The objective of this research project is to use an integrated and evolving database that combines audiometric data from the Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness System-Hearing Conservation with point-of-injury data from the Expeditionary Medical Encounter Database and other personnel records. The Blast Related Auditory Injury Database (BRAID) will be used for surveillance, assessment, and study of blast-related hearing health outcomes (long- and short-term) in Marine Corps and Navy personnel. This project will, for the first time, use pre- and post-blast auditory screening data to examine the effects of blast injury on hearing sensitivity. Specifically, the BRAID will allow for the determination of the prevalence of blast-related hearing loss and will explore risk factors and exposures related to blast-related hearing loss, central auditory dysfunction, tinnitus, tympanic membrane perforation, and otalgia. The BRAID will also identify interrelationships between high-risk subgroups among those with blast injury by identifying what demographic and injury-specific characteristics contribute to hearing loss. The ability to hear is an important factor for situational awareness, health, and quality of life; thus, it is important to our Service members and combat Veterans that we acquire, assemble, and analyze data to inform current and future policies related to hearing preservation, identify at-risk individuals for the purpose of early intervention and prevention, and allocate and prepare appropriate resources.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 31, 2017
- Source ID
- FMBB100586378
Entities
People
- Michael R. Galarneau
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center
- United States Army