Quantification of Visually Evoked Cortical Potentials in Individuals With Hearing Loss
This research is being done to determine whether a test that measures a Visual Evoked Potential can be used in a new way for individuals that have hearing loss. This test measures the participant's brain's response (so called brain waves) to specific visual images. This study will help the investigators determine whether this test could be used to improve treatments for patients with hearing loss. The Visual Evoked Potential measurement test is already used in the investigator's Neurology clinic at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for various conditions to measure early brain responses that occur in the first 1-2 seconds after a new cue. Our research aims to explore your brain's response just after that early 1-2 second period by looking at a specific response called the P300. The P300 wave is a brain response to new or different images or sounds. A visual evoked P300 has not been studied in individuals with hearing loss. The investigators will compare the results of this test to standard auditory tests, tests of cognitive function, and cochlear implant patient outcomes to explore how these factors can predict successful use of a hearing aid or cochlear implant.
• Subjects will be recruited from the Otolaryngology/Audiology clinic at DHMC with the goal of enrolling subjects with a variety of degrees of hearing loss and central auditory processing dysfunction.
• Age \> 18 y/o.
• Current and new patients receiving care in the DHMC Otolaryngology clinic or from the employees of Dartmouth College, DHMC, and the community, will be included as allowed under COVID guidelines.