Blast Exposure Associations With Hearing Loss and Self-reported Hearing Difficulty

Sunday, October 1, 2023

5:18 PM - 5:24 PM East Coast USA Time

Location: 104BC

Presenting Author(s)

Aaron E. McIntire, MD

Resident Physician
Naval Medical Center - San Diego
San Diego, CA, United States

Co-Author(s)

Aaron E. McIntire, MD

Resident Physician
Naval Medical Center - San Diego
San Diego, CA, United States
Tanner M. Miller, MD

Medical Student
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
ST

Samrita Thapa, MPH

Veterans Affairs, USA
Antony R. Joseph, AuD, PhD

Occupational-Research Audiologist, Associate Professor
Illinois State University
Normal, IL, United States
KC

Kathleen Carlson, PhD

Veterans Affairs, USA
KR

Kelly Reavis, PhD

Veterans Affairs, USA

Senior Author(s)

Charlotte K. Hughes, MD, MPH

Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology
Naval Medical Center San Diego/UC San Diego
San Diego, CA, United States

Introduction: Blast exposures may affect hearing loss and quality of life. We sought to examine the association between military blast exposures on hearing thresholds and self-reported hearing difficulties among Active-Duty Service Members (ADSM) and Veterans.

Methods: Cross-sectional multi-institutional study using Noise Outcomes in Servicemembers Epidemiology (NOISE) study data. Blast exposure was assessed with a comprehensive blast questionnaire. Outcome measures included pure-tone hearing thresholds, Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA) and Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ)-12.

Results: 21% (105/502) of ADSM and 37% (202/547) of Veterans reported 1 blast exposure. Compared to those without blast exposure, those with blast exposure had increased odds of high frequency (3-8 kHz) and extended-high frequency (9-16 kHz) hearing loss ( 20 dBHL) in ADSM (OR=2.5, CI: 1.5, 4.2; OR=1.6, CI: 1.5, 3.7, respectively), but only extended-high frequency hearing loss in Veterans (OR 1.6, CI: 1.1, 2.2). ADSM and Veterans with blast exposure were more likely to report hearing difficulty on HHIA (OR=2.6, CI: 1.2, 5.5; OR=2.9, CI 1.8, 4.7, respectively). Furthermore, those with blast exposure had lower SSQ-12 scores compared to those without blast exposure (ADSM mean difference = -0.8, CI: -1.2, -0.4; Veteran mean difference: -0.9, CI: -1.3, -0.6).

Conclusions: Blast exposure is a prevalent source of hearing injury in the military. We found that blast exposure, in both ADSM and Veterans, was associated with hearing loss, predominately in the higher frequencies. Blast exposure was associated with poorer self-perceived hearing ability in ADSM and Veterans.