DoD Hearing Restoration Focused Applied Research Award

Description

The FY18 HRRP FARA mechanism is intended to support applied research that will advance the diagnosis and treatment of auditory dysfunction where hearing sensitivity may be within normal limits but the individual’s capacity to listen and understand speech is substantially impaired. Such listening difficulties are often described using terms such as synaptopathy, hidden hearing loss, and central auditory processing disorders. These disorders can be triggered by exposure to loud noises such as those encountered on the battlefield or certain work environments. While these types of auditory dysfunction may severely affect the ability of a person to hear and interpret speech, they are not readily diagnosed by typical hearing tests. If a Service member cannot effectively hear battlefield communication and sounds, s/he may pose a danger to himself/herself, others in the unit, and the mission. There is a great need for validated and reliable techniques and methods to detect and assess these types of auditory dysfunction, especially techniques and methods that can be applied by a non-specialist (e.g., physician assistants, medics, or corpsmen) in the operational environment (e.g., a Forward Operating Base or a Battalion Aid Station) to quickly screen Service members for combat readiness. Techniques and methods are further needed to identify the component(s) of the auditory system or pathway that is (are) damaged. Interventions are needed to treat different types of damage (e.g., synaptopathy, central auditory processing disorder) or mitigate their adverse effects on hearing. It is expected that the diagnostic tools, tests, and treatments developed under the FARA would also benefit the general public by advancing hearing loss prevention/treatment and improving hearing health care for individuals in rural or remote deployed environments.

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