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Exploring the Relationship Between Hearing Status, Cognitive Function, and Neurological Symptom Burden: The Impact of
Kyle Pietro1,2, Charity B Breneman1,2,3, Timothy Chun2
1Department of Veterans Affairs, Complex Exposure Threats Center of Excellence (CETCE), Washington, DC 20422, United States.
Introduction:
Hearing loss and related impairments are among the most prevalent service-related disabilities affecting military Veterans. Yet, many of the cognitive and psychosocial implications related to auditory functioning remain insufficiently understood. Growing evidence suggests that hearing aid usage can alleviate cognitive symptoms and reduce psychological, social, and emotional burdens associated with hearing loss. The present study examined associations between hearing status, overall perceptions of health, and neurocognitive functioning in combat deployed Veterans. More specifically, this study assessed whether hearing status contributes to impaired neurocognitive function and, if hearing aid usage may serve as a protective factor for cognitive symptoms and neuropsychological performance.
Materials And Methods:
This investigation was part of a larger observational study of traumatic brain injury in combat deployed Veterans. Analyses included 42 U.S. Veterans who completed a series of subjective surveys, and medical records were reviewed to assess current health conditions, lifetime blast exposure, neurocognitive functioning and auditory health.
Results:
Lifetime blast exposure was significantly associated with neurobehavioral symptoms, particularly in the somatosensory and vestibular domains. Veterans using hearing aids reported fewer symptoms in these areas than those without hearing aids and hearing loss. Furthermore, hearing aid use was positively associated with neuropsychological performance, specifically with an improved learning slope, compared to Veterans without hearing aids and hearing loss.
Conclusion:
The relationships between hearing loss, hearing aid usage, and blast exposure remain important measures for consideration when examining neurological symptoms and cognitive health in Service Members and Veterans.
