Approaches to Auditory Rehabilitation for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Assesses the impact a rehabilitative intervention has on perceived Competence (perceived functional capability, independence and performance). Responses are reported on a 7-point scale that ranges from -3 (maximum negative impact) to +3 (maximum positive impact). The mid-point, zero, indicates no impact or no perceived change

Time frame: Immediately post-intervention between weeks 8 and 12

Population: The number of participants analyzed differs from the number of baseline enrollees due to participant attrition. Specifically, one individual in arm 1 (FM system), eleven participants in arm 2 (Auditory training), four in arm 3 (FM system and auditory training) and three in arm 4 (standard of care) chose not to attend the follow-up visit.

Measure of processing interference that assesses the ability to cope with cognitive stress and process complex input. It consists of a Word Page with color words printed in black ink, a Color Page with 'Xs' printed in color, and a Color-Word Page with words from the first page printed in colors from the second page (the color and the word do not match). The test-taker looks at each sheet and moves down the columns, reading words or naming the ink colors as quickly as possible within a time limit. Interference raw scores were converted into t-scores for analysis. T-score benefit was the analytic metric used. T-score benefit = post-intervention score minus baseline score

Time frame: Baseline and Immediately post-intervention (between weeks 8 and 12).

Population: The number of participants analyzed differs from the number of baseline enrollees due to participant attrition. Specifically, one individual in arm 1 (FM system), eleven participants in arm 2 (Auditory training), four in arm 3 (FM system and auditory training) and three in arm 4 (standard of care) chose not to attend the follow-up visit.

CSRQ assesses self-reported cognitive difficulties in 8 domains: Attention, Executive function, Memory, Language, Vision, Hearing, Energy,and Satisfaction. Participants respond on a 3-point Likert scale whether they perceived they improved, remained the same, or got worse as a result of an intervention. Total score is computed by summing scores on each subscale. Range for total score = -64 to +64, with higher scores indicating fewer reported cognitive difficulties.

Time frame: Immediately post-intervention between weeks 8 and 12.

Population: The number of participants analyzed differs from the number of baseline enrollees due to participant attrition. Specifically, one individual in arm 1 (FM system), eleven participants in arm 2 (Auditory training), four in arm 3 (FM system and auditory training) and three in arm 4 (standard of care) chose not to attend the follow-up visit.

The Digit Span subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale 3rd edition (WAIS-III) assessed auditory working memory. It consists of a Digit Span Forward task in which individuals to repeat numbers in the same sequence as they were presented verbally, and a Digit Span Backward task in which individuals repeat back the numbers in the reverse order to which they were heard. Data are summed to compute a Digit Span total score. Possible range of scores is 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better performance.

Time frame: Immediately post-intervention between weeks 8 and 12.

Population: The number of participants analyzed differs from the number of baseline enrollees due to participant attrition. Specifically, one individual in arm 1 (FM system), eleven participants in arm 2 (Auditory training), four in arm 3 (FM system and auditory training) and three in arm 4 (standard of care) chose not to attend the follow-up visit.

Hearing In Noise Test assesses speech understanding in noise assessed. Sentences are presented in a background of noise. The signal to noise ratio is varied adaptively to obtained the signal to noise ratio at which participants can correctly repeat back 50% of sentences presented in speech-shaped noise is determined. A lower signal to noise ratio indicates better performance.

Time frame: Immediately post-intervention between weeks 8 and 12.

Population: The number of participants analyzed differs from the number of baseline enrollees due to participant attrition. Specifically, one individual in arm 1 (FM system), eleven participants in arm 2 (Auditory training), four in arm 3 (FM system and auditory training) and three in arm 4 (standard of care) chose not to attend the follow-up visit.

Three subscale questionnaire that examines reported change in auditory disability for Speech, Spatial hearing and Quality of sounds. Subjects respond on a scale of -5 ('much worse') to +5 (much better) to indicate the change in difficulties following an intervention they have hearing in specific situations, with a lower number indicating greater difficulty. Results are presented for average total SSQ-C score which can range from -5 to +5, with higher scores indicating greater improvement.

Time frame: Immediately post-intervention

Population: The number of participants analyzed differs from the number of baseline enrollees due to participant attrition. Specifically, one individual in arm 1 (FM system), eleven participants in arm 2 (Auditory training), four in arm 3 (FM system and auditory training) and three in arm 4 (standard of care) chose not to attend the follow-up visit.

Dichotic listening test in which two spondaic words are presented, one to each ear of the listener, in an overlapping fashion such that the first syllable of the first word is presented in isolation, the second syllable of the first word is presented simultaneously with the first syllable of the second word, and the second syllable of the second word is presented in isolation. Total number of test spondee pairs = 40.

Time frame: Immediately post-intervention between weeks 8 and 12.

Population: The number of participants analyzed differs from the number of baseline enrollees due to participant attrition. Specifically, one individual in arm 1 (FM system), eleven participants in arm 2 (Auditory training), four in arm 3 (FM system and auditory training) and three in arm 4 (standard of care) chose not to attend the follow-up visit.

the TCST assessed speech recognition for speeded speech. Sentences are presented in the sound field in quiet at with 50% and 60% time compression. Participants repeat back each sentence after it is presented.

Time frame: Immediately post-intervention between weeks 8 and 12.

Population: The number of participants analyzed differs from the number of baseline enrollees due to participant attrition. Specifically, one individual in arm 1 (FM system), eleven participants in arm 2 (Auditory training), four in arm 3 (FM system and auditory training) and three in arm 4 (standard of care) chose not to attend the follow-up visit.