Diagnosing Contributions of Sensory and Cognitive Deficits to Hearing Dysfunction in Blast Exposed/TBI Service Members

Abstract : This project utilizes behavioral and electrophysiological methods to investigate peripheral and central contributions to auditory dysfunction. In fiscal year 1, IRB protocols have been fully approved at all levels, and CRADA approval between Boston University (Site 1, BU) and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (Site 2, WRNMMC) has been arranged through the Geneva Foundation. The project has hired a full-time research audiologist, Dr. Lynn Bielski, who has been working closely with Mr. Scott Bressler from BU. To date, the electroencephalography (EEG) equipment has been installed at WRNMMC, and is running finalized versions of both the auditory and visual selective attention tasks. Subject recruitment has started, and while some experimental sessions yielded incomplete data sets, these issues have been addressed and the main focus for the next fiscal period will focus primarily on subject screening, data collection, and data analysis.