Hidden Hearing Injury: The Emerging Science and Military Relevance of Cochlear Synaptopathy

The phenomenon recently described as "hidden hearing loss" was the subject of a meeting co-hosted by the Department of Defense Hearing Center of Excellence and MIT Lincoln Laboratory to consider the potential relevance of noise-related synaptopathic injury to military settings and performance, service-related injury scenarios, and military medical priorities. Participants included approximately 50 researchers and subject matter experts from academic, federal, and military laboratories. Here we present a synthesis of discussion topics and concerns, as well as specific research objectives identified to develop militarily relevant knowledge.

We consider findings from studies to date that have demonstrated cochlear synaptopathy and neurodegenerative processes apparently linked to noise exposure in animal models. We explore the potential relevance of these findings to the prediction and prevention of military hearing injuries, and to comorbid injuries in the neurological domain.

Noise-induced cochlear synaptopathic injury is not detected by conventional audiometric assessment of threshold sensitivity. Animal studies suggest there may be a generous window of opportunity for intervention to mitigate or prevent cochlear neurodegenerative processes, e.g., by administration of neurotrophins or antioxidants. However, it is not yet known if the mechanisms that underlie "hidden hearing loss" also occur in human beings or, if so, how to identify them early, and how and when to intervene.

Neurological injuries resulting from noise exposures via the auditory system have potentially significant implications for military Service Member performance, long-term Veteran health, and noise exposure standards. Mediated via auditory pathways, such injuries have possible relationship to clinical impairments including speech perception, and may be a largely overlooked contributor to cognitive symptoms associated with other military service-related injuries such as blast exposure and brain trauma. The potential health and performance consequences of noise-induced cochlear synaptopathic injury are easily overlooked, especially if it is assumed that hearing threshold sensitivity loss is the major concern. There should be a renewed impetus to further characterize and model synaptopathic mechanisms of auditory injury; study its potential impact on human auditory function, cognition, and performance metrics of military relevance; and develop solutions for auditory protection (including noise dosimetry) and treatment if appropriate following noise or blast exposure in military scenarios. We identify specific problems, solution objectives, and research objectives. Recommended research calls for a multidisciplinary approach to address cochlear nerve synaptopathy, central (brain) dysfunction, noise exposure measurement and metrics, and clinical assessment.