Hearing Disorders Associated With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI)

The long-term audiological consequences of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) include hearing loss, tinnitus, hyperacusis, and central auditory dysfunction, and are becoming a topic of heightened regard in the medical community. Tinnitus and hearing loss are two of the most common audiological disabilities reported in the US military population. While there is currently no cure for tinnitus, a variety of treatment options exist to help patients manage their symptoms. Mechanisms underlying tinnitus, hearing loss, and hyperacusis are unknown, although proposed theories suggest a tonotopic reorganization and hyperexcitability of the auditory cortex are involved. Further research regarding behavioral, alternative, and surgical therapies is critical for helping patients who suffer from hearing disorders following brain injury.