Exploring Auditory Processing Abilities and the Impact on Response Time and Hearing Aid Benefit

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the differences between self-reported hearing difficulties, response time, and blast exposure history for those with and without auditory processing deficits, which were classified based on abnormal results on behavioral speech-in-noise and binaural-processing assessments. The study also examined factors that contributed to low-gain hearing aid (LGHA) benefit. Method: Military service members were recruited for the research study. Participants were classified into three groups based on their performance on auditory processing tests: failing two tests (dual deficit [DualDef], n = 47), failing one test (single deficit [SingleDef], n = 207), and failing zero tests (Control, n = 5,046). All participants had normal hearing thresholds (NHTs) defined by ≤ 25 dB HL at frequencies 500–6000 Hz. Results: Participants who failed at least one auditory processing test (DualDef and SingleDef groups) reported significantly more hearing difficulties and had significantly slower response times than the Control group. The DualDef group also had significantly more hearing difficulties relative to the SingleDef group. More than half of the participants in the DualDef and SingleDef groups reported having blast exposure, compared to less than 40% in the control group. Participants who reported blast exposure also reported significantly better LGHA benefit compared to those who reported having no blast exposure. Conclusion: This study appears to validate the use of performance on behavioral listening tests to identify individuals who may be suffering from auditory processing deficits and might benefit from LGHAs, particularly when the symptoms are related to a history of blast exposure.