Audio-vest tests for TBI
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Determining a standard test battery for the assessment of auditory-vestibular impairments in adults with a traumatic brain injury
IRAS ID
334689
Contact name
Kathryn Fackrell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as structural damage to the brain and/or impairment of brain functions caused by external factors. TBI often leads to cognitive, emotional, and behavioural issues, including hearing and balance (auditory-vestibular) problems like hearing loss, hyperacusis (sound sensitivity), tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and vertigo. These complications can significantly impact quality-of-life, affecting communication skills. Even without TBI, individuals with hearing loss may experience problems like depression and cognitive decline. This suggests that those with TBI may have to cope with challenges related to both TBI and hearing and/or balance (auditory-vestibular) impairments.
The difficulty with TBI combined with the experience of hearing and balance problems can complicate hearing-balance (audiological) assessments. Additionally, the lack of information about these problems and clinical difficulties makes it challenging for audiologists to triage patients and select the appropriate tests. Therefore, it is crucial to establish a consensus among audiologists to determine a standardized test battery for TBI-related auditory and vestibular impairments.
This is a two-part UK-based 12-month project, In Part 1, we will carry out an online Delphi survey with three rounds of questions with audiologists to determine a standard set of tests from tests currently in use in clinics that should carried out when assessing hearing and balance problems with TBI patients. In Part 2, we will evaluate the acceptability of hearing (auditory) tests that has been determined by audiologists with adults who have a TBI and hearing problems. We will apply only tests relevant to participants' case history (e.g. in patients with hearing loss, only tests related to hearing problems, but not any tests for hyperacusis) and asked then to answer questions about their experiences and opinions of the applied tests in a semi-structured interview.
The study will conclude with specially determined tests by audiologists for assessing hearing and balance problems in adult TBI patients, as well as an assessment of how individuals with TBI accept hearing (auditory) tests.REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0225
Date of REC Opinion
15 Apr 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion