Functional Hearing Difficulties in Veterans: Retrospective Chart Review of Auditory Processing Assessments in the VA Health Care System

Abstract

Purpose: Approximately 23 million Americans might have functional hearing difficulties (FHDs) that are not well explained by their audiometric thresholds. Clinical management of patients with FHDs is the subject of considerable debate, with few evidence-based guidelines to direct patient care. A better understanding of the characteristics of patients who seek help for FHDs, as well as current audiological management practices, is needed to direct research efforts to the areas greatest opportunity for advancement of clinical care. Method: A retrospective chart review was conducted examining the medical records of a random sample of 100 Veterans who underwent auditory processing assessments across the VA Health Care System between 2008 and 2020. Results: Patients were young to middle-age, often with previous traumatic brain injury or blast exposure. Mental health, sleep, and pain disorders were common. No consistent relationships emerged between specific patient factors and domains of auditory processing deficits. Low-gain hearing aids were provided to 35 patients, 69% of whom continued wearing their hearing aids for at least 2 years. Conclusion: Future research should address the potential overlap in symptoms and treatment for comorbid health conditions and FHDs, as well as the conditions underlying successful hearing aid use in this patient population.