Understanding how mild brain injuries affect hearing and speech in noisy environments

Effects of Non-Blast mTBI on Binaural Processing and Speech Understanding in Noise

NIH-funded research Portland VA Medical Center · NIH-10977037

This study is looking at how mild traumatic brain injuries (like those from sports or accidents) affect people's ability to hear and understand speech in noisy places, and it aims to develop better ways to help those who struggle with these challenges.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionPortland VA Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Portland, United States)
Project IDNIH-10977037 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) on the ability to process sounds and understand speech, particularly in noisy settings. It focuses on individuals who have experienced mTBI from various causes, including sports injuries and accidents. By using advanced auditory processing measures, the study aims to identify the specific sensory and cognitive mechanisms that contribute to difficulties in speech understanding. The ultimate goal is to create tailored assessment and rehabilitation tools for those affected by these auditory challenges.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of mild traumatic brain injury who experience challenges in understanding speech in noisy environments.

Not a fit: Patients without a history of mild traumatic brain injury or those who do not experience auditory processing difficulties may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic and treatment options for individuals with auditory difficulties following mild brain injuries.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated that auditory processing deficits are common in individuals with mTBI, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights and improvements in treatment.

Where this research is happening

Portland, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired brain injuryauditory diseaseauditory disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.