{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Clinical experiences, current approaches, opinions and awareness of healthcare professionals regarding the audio-vestibular consequences of individuals with traumatic brain injury: a cross-sectional online survey study.
{Author}: Bölükbaş K;Edwards L;Baguley DM;Fackrell K;
{Journal}: BMJ Open
{Volume}: 14
{Issue}: 7
{Year}: 2024 Jul 8
{Factor}: 3.006
{DOI}: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078017
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To explore the experiences, current approaches, opinions and awareness of healthcare professionals (HCPs) caring for adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI) regarding the audio-vestibular consequences.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Cross-sectional online survey study.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>HCPs with experience of caring for adults with TBI, who were not ENT (ear nose throat) specialists or audiologists.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>The study was conducted from May 2022 to December 2022. The online survey consisted of 16 closed and open-text questions in English and Turkish about clinical experience, current approaches and awareness of audio-vestibular consequences following TBI. Frequencies of responses to closed questions and associations between variables were analysed using SPSS V.28. Open-text responses were summarised in Microsoft Excel.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Seventy HCPs participated from 17 professions and 14 countries, with the majority from the UK (42.9%). HCPs stated that 'some' to 'all' of their patients had auditory problems such as 'inability to understand speech-in-noise' (66%), 'tinnitus' (64%), 'hyperacusis' (57%) and balance problems such as 'dizziness' (79%) and 'vertigo' (67%). Usually, HCPs asked about the balance status of patients at appointments and when they observed dizziness and/or balance disorder they used screening tests, most commonly finger-to-nose (53%). For auditory impairments, HCPs preferred referring patients with TBI to audiology/ENT services. However, 6% of HCPs felt that audio-vestibular conditions could be ignored on referral because patients with TBI struggled with many impairments. Additionally, 44% would suggest hearing aids to patients with TBI with hearing loss 'if they would like to use' rather than 'definitely'.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Many audio-vestibular impairments are observed by HCPs caring for patients with TBI. The assessment and intervention opinions and awareness of HCPs for these impairments vary. However, non-expert HCPs may not be aware of negative consequences of untreated audio-vestibular impairments following TBI. Therefore, developing a simple framework for screening and indications of audio-vestibular impairments for referral may be helpful for non-audiological specialists regularly seeing these patients.