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J Am Acad Audiol 1999; 10(05): 231-247
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1748495
Original Article

One-Year Audiologic Monitoring of Individuals Exposed to the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing

Luann E. Van Campen
Section of Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Oklahoma School of Medicine, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
,
J. Michael Dennis
Section of Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Oklahoma School of Medicine, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
,
Renee C. R. Hanlin
Section of Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Oklahoma School of Medicine, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
,
Sandra B. King
Section of Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Oklahoma School of Medicine, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
,
Amy M. Velderman
The Hough Ear Institute, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; currently Richardson Independent Schools, Prairie Creek Elementary, Richardson, Texas
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Abstract

This longitudinal study evaluated subjective, behavioral, and objective auditory function in 83 explosion survivors. Subjects were evaluated quarterly for 1 year with conventional pure-tone and extended high-frequencies audiometry, otoscopic inspections, immittance and speech audiometry, and questionnaires. There was no obvious relationship between subject location and symptoms or test results. Tinnitus, distorted hearing, loudness sensitivity, and otalgia were common symptoms. On average, 76 percent of subjects had predominantly sensorineural hearing loss at one or more frequencies. Twenty-four percent of subjects required amplification. Extended high frequencies showed evidence of acoustic trauma even when conventional frequencies fell within the normal range. Males had significantly poorer responses than females across frequencies. Auditory status of the group was significantly compromised and unchanged at the end of 1–year postblast.

Abbreviations: ANOVA= analysis of variance, CF = conventional frequencies (0.25–8 kHz), EHF = extended high frequencies (10–20 kHz), LSD = least significant difference, psi = air pressure measured in pounds per square inch, dB pSPL = decibel re: peak sound pressure level, Q = quarterly evaluations, TNT = trinitrotoluene

Key Words

Acoustic trauma - auditory blast injury - extended high frequencies - noise-induced hearing loss - tinnitus


Publication History

Article published online:
29 April 2022

© 1999. American Academy of Audiology. This article is published by Thieme.

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