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Long term changes to auditory sensitivity following blast trauma in mice
Kali Burke1, Senthilvelan Manohar2, Micheal L Dent1
1Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, United States of America.
Hearing Research
|February 26, 2021
Summary
Military blast trauma causes hearing deficits. While physiological measures showed hearing recovery in mice after a blast, behavioral tests did not, indicating a need for further research.
Area of Science:
- Auditory neuroscience
- Military medicine
- Trauma research
Background:
- Blast trauma is a prevalent injury in modern warfare, affecting up to 20% of active duty military personnel.
- Auditory deficits following blast exposure are common, but the correlation between injury and sensitivity changes is challenging due to time gaps between insult and evaluation.
- Understanding the time course of auditory recovery after blast exposure is crucial for effective treatment and prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the time course of auditory sensitivity changes following blast trauma in a mouse model.
- To compare the efficacy of physiological (auditory brainstem responses, distortion product otoacoustic emissions) and behavioral methods in assessing auditory function after blast exposure.
- To determine the extent of auditory recovery over 90 days post-blast.
Main Methods:
- Adult CBA/CaJ mice were exposed to a traumatic blast.
- Auditory sensitivity was measured using auditory brainstem responses (ABR), distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE), and behavioral detection of pure tones.
- Measurements were taken at baseline, and at 3, 30, and 90 days post-blast for physiological assessments, and daily for behavioral assessments up to 90 days.
Main Results:
- All mice exhibited an initial decline in auditory sensitivity following the blast trauma.
- Physiological measurements (ABR and DPOAE) indicated evidence of auditory recovery over the 90-day period.
- Behavioral measurements did not show the same degree of recovery as physiological measures, suggesting a potential disconnect in assessing functional hearing loss.
- ABR wave amplitudes and latencies may offer insights into changes beyond peripheral damage.
Conclusions:
- Blast trauma significantly impacts auditory sensitivity, with initial deterioration observed across all measurement methods.
- Physiological measures suggest partial recovery of auditory function, while behavioral tests indicate persistent deficits, highlighting the importance of using multiple assessment methods.
- Further research into ABR wave characteristics is warranted to better understand the complex changes occurring after blast-induced hearing loss.
