@article{7eacf081a90a4ec0b843c30f219c4358,
title = "Hearing Loss and Irritability Reporting Without Vestibular Differences in Explosive Breaching Professionals",
abstract = "Background: Blast exposure is a potential hazard in modern military operations and training, especially for some military occupations. Helmets, peripheral armor, hearing protection, and eye protection worn by military personnel provide some acute protection from blast effects but may not fully protect personnel against cumulative effects of repeated blast overpressure waves experienced over a career. The current study aimed to characterize the long-term outcomes of repeated exposure to primary blast overpressure in experienced career operators with an emphasis on the assessment of hearing and vestibular outcomes. Methods: Participants included experienced “breachers” (military and law enforcement explosives professionals who gain entry into structures through controlled detonation of charges) and similarly aged and experienced “non-breachers” (non-breaching military and law enforcement personnel). Responses to a clinical interview and performance on audiological and vestibular testing were compared. Results: Hearing loss, ringing in the ears, irritability, and sensitivity to light or noise were more common among breachers than non-breachers. Breachers reported more combat exposure than non-breachers, and subsequently, memory loss and difficulty concentrating were associated with both breaching and combat exposure. Vestibular and ocular motor outcomes were not different between breachers and non-breachers. Conclusion: Hearing-related, irritability, and sensitivity outcomes are associated with a career in breaching. Future studies examining long-term effects of blast exposure should take measures to control for combat exposure.",
keywords = "blast overpressure, career breaching, hearing loss, symptom reporting, vestibular",
author = "Modica, {Claire M.} and Johnson, {Brian R.} and Christopher Zalewski and Kelly King and Carmen Brewer and King, {John E.} and Yarnell, {Angela M.} and LoPresti, {Matthew L.} and Walker, {Peter B.} and Dell, {Kristine C.} and Elena Polejaeva and Alycia Quick and Bobby Arnold and Wassermann, {Eric M.} and Stone, {James R.} and Ahlers, {Stephen T.} and Walter Carr",
note = "Funding Information: Disclaimer: The views expressed in this manuscript are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of the Army, Department of Defense, nor the U.S. Government. This work was supported by the Joint Program Committee-5 Development of Exposure Standards to Repeated Blast Exposure program, work unit #603115HP-3730-001-A1118, and by the Intramural Research Programs of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. MRI support was provided by the National Institutes of Health Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine. The study protocol was approved by the Naval Medical Research Center, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, and National Institutes of Health Institutional Review Boards in compliance with all applicable Federal regulations governing the protection of human subjects. Some of the authors are military Service members or employees of the U.S. Government. This work was prepared as part of their official duties. Title 17, U.S.C., §105 provides that copyright protection under this title is not available for any work of the U.S. Government. Title 17, U.S.C., §101 defines a U.S. Government work as a work prepared by a military Service member or employee of the U.S. Government as part of that person{\textquoteright}s official duties. Material has been reviewed by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. There is no objection to its presentation and/or publication. The investigators have adhered to the policies for protection of human subjects as prescribed in AR 70-25. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} Copyright {\textcopyright} 2020 Modica, Johnson, Zalewski, King, Brewer, King, Yarnell, LoPresti, Walker, Dell, Polejaeva, Quick, Arnold, Wassermann, Stone, Ahlers and Carr.",
year = "2020",
month = dec,
day = "16",
doi = "10.3389/fneur.2020.588377",
language = "English",
volume = "11",
journal = "Frontiers in Neurology",
issn = "1664-2295",
}