The auditory outcomes in non-blast related traumatic brain injury and the role of severity, aetiology and gender: a scoping review

IntroductionTraumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause a wide range of auditory outcomes. This review aimed to investigate common auditory outcomes associated with TBI and explore variations based on severity, aetiology, and gender.MethodsA scoping review was conducted using an established methodologica...

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Main Authors: Kübra Bölükbaş, Laura Edwards, Olivia R. Phillips, Kathryn Fackrell
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Neurology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1589117/full
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author Kübra Bölükbaş
Kübra Bölükbaş
Laura Edwards
Laura Edwards
Olivia R. Phillips
Kathryn Fackrell
Kathryn Fackrell
author_facet Kübra Bölükbaş
Kübra Bölükbaş
Laura Edwards
Laura Edwards
Olivia R. Phillips
Kathryn Fackrell
Kathryn Fackrell
author_sort Kübra Bölükbaş
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionTraumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause a wide range of auditory outcomes. This review aimed to investigate common auditory outcomes associated with TBI and explore variations based on severity, aetiology, and gender.MethodsA scoping review was conducted using an established methodological framework, which involved electronic and manual searches of databases and journals. Records published in English were included, which focused on auditory outcomes and assessments associated with non-blast related TBI in individuals 18 years and older. From 19,031 records, 61 met the inclusion criteria. Data were collated and categorized based on the study objectives.ResultsPure-tone audiometry (56/61) was the most commonly used hearing assessment, followed by otoscopy (27/61), whilst for tinnitus and hyperacusis assessments varied from questionnaires to self-reported problems. Different types of hearing loss were reported; conductive to mixed, of these 41% noted sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Normal hearing (≤ 20/25 dB HL) was reported in 31% (19/61) of the studies, however, five studies found abnormal results in central auditory tests despite normal hearing. Severe TBI was reported more frequently compared to other severities (10/23). Although SNHL was noted in 4 studies related to severe TBI, various outcomes were observed ranging from normal hearing to total deafness. Motor-vehicle accidents (MVA) were the most common aetiology (36/61), followed by falls, assaults, and sports injuries. Following MVA, SNHL was observed in 12 studies and CHL was observed across 10 studies. Out of 61 articles, 53% included only male patients, and SNHL was observed more frequently in males (17/33), whilst normal hearing and other types of hearing loss were noted in both genders.ConclusionTBI-related auditory impairments are complex, with inconsistent assessment methods and reporting gaps complicating data synthesis. Standardized clinical practices and screening guidelines are crucial for improving auditory assessment and management in this population.
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spelling doaj-art-c896fd00928641f7becafd371baf12252025-08-20T03:41:25ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neurology1664-22952025-07-011610.3389/fneur.2025.15891171589117The auditory outcomes in non-blast related traumatic brain injury and the role of severity, aetiology and gender: a scoping reviewKübra Bölükbaş0Kübra Bölükbaş1Laura Edwards2Laura Edwards3Olivia R. Phillips4Kathryn Fackrell5Kathryn Fackrell6Hearing Sciences, Division of Mental Health and Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United KingdomNational Institute of Health and Social Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, United KingdomDivision of Rehabilitation Medicine, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, Derby, United KingdomCentre for Rehabilitation and Ageing Research, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United KingdomLifespan and Population Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United KingdomHearing Sciences, Division of Mental Health and Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United KingdomNational Institute of Health and Social Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, United KingdomIntroductionTraumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause a wide range of auditory outcomes. This review aimed to investigate common auditory outcomes associated with TBI and explore variations based on severity, aetiology, and gender.MethodsA scoping review was conducted using an established methodological framework, which involved electronic and manual searches of databases and journals. Records published in English were included, which focused on auditory outcomes and assessments associated with non-blast related TBI in individuals 18 years and older. From 19,031 records, 61 met the inclusion criteria. Data were collated and categorized based on the study objectives.ResultsPure-tone audiometry (56/61) was the most commonly used hearing assessment, followed by otoscopy (27/61), whilst for tinnitus and hyperacusis assessments varied from questionnaires to self-reported problems. Different types of hearing loss were reported; conductive to mixed, of these 41% noted sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Normal hearing (≤ 20/25 dB HL) was reported in 31% (19/61) of the studies, however, five studies found abnormal results in central auditory tests despite normal hearing. Severe TBI was reported more frequently compared to other severities (10/23). Although SNHL was noted in 4 studies related to severe TBI, various outcomes were observed ranging from normal hearing to total deafness. Motor-vehicle accidents (MVA) were the most common aetiology (36/61), followed by falls, assaults, and sports injuries. Following MVA, SNHL was observed in 12 studies and CHL was observed across 10 studies. Out of 61 articles, 53% included only male patients, and SNHL was observed more frequently in males (17/33), whilst normal hearing and other types of hearing loss were noted in both genders.ConclusionTBI-related auditory impairments are complex, with inconsistent assessment methods and reporting gaps complicating data synthesis. Standardized clinical practices and screening guidelines are crucial for improving auditory assessment and management in this population.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1589117/fulltraumatic brain injuryauditoryhearing losstinnitushyperacusisTBI severity
spellingShingle Kübra Bölükbaş
Kübra Bölükbaş
Laura Edwards
Laura Edwards
Olivia R. Phillips
Kathryn Fackrell
Kathryn Fackrell
The auditory outcomes in non-blast related traumatic brain injury and the role of severity, aetiology and gender: a scoping review
Frontiers in Neurology
traumatic brain injury
auditory
hearing loss
tinnitus
hyperacusis
TBI severity
title The auditory outcomes in non-blast related traumatic brain injury and the role of severity, aetiology and gender: a scoping review
title_full The auditory outcomes in non-blast related traumatic brain injury and the role of severity, aetiology and gender: a scoping review
title_fullStr The auditory outcomes in non-blast related traumatic brain injury and the role of severity, aetiology and gender: a scoping review
title_full_unstemmed The auditory outcomes in non-blast related traumatic brain injury and the role of severity, aetiology and gender: a scoping review
title_short The auditory outcomes in non-blast related traumatic brain injury and the role of severity, aetiology and gender: a scoping review
title_sort auditory outcomes in non blast related traumatic brain injury and the role of severity aetiology and gender a scoping review
topic traumatic brain injury
auditory
hearing loss
tinnitus
hyperacusis
TBI severity
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1589117/full
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