Concussion Epidemiology in Athletes Who Are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Compared With Athletes Who Are Hearing.

Abstract

To compare the epidemiology of concussion between athletes who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (D/HoH) and athletes who are hearing. Descriptive epidemiology study. Data were collected from 2 Division III athletic programs. One institution is the world's only university designed to be barrier-free for students who are D/HoH. Six hundred ninety-three athletes who are D/HoH and 1284 athletes who are hearing were included in this study. Athletes participated in collegiate athletics during the 2012 to 2013 through the 2016 to 2017 academic years. Concussion data were provided by the athletic training staff at each institution. Concussion counts, concussion rate, and injury rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Thirty athletes who are D/HoH and 104 athletes who are hearing suffered concussions. Athletes who are hearing had an increased injury rate compared with athletes who are D/HoH for all sports combined (IRR = 1.87, 95% CI, 1.26-2.78). Football athletes who are hearing also had an increased injury rate compared with football athletes who are D/HoH (IRR = 3.30, 95% CI, 1.71-6.37). Concussion rate was higher for male athletes who are hearing than male athletes who are D/HoH (IRR = 2.84, 95% CI, 1.62-4.97). No other significant differences regarding concussion risk were identified. Athletes who are D/HoH in sex-comparable sports may not have a higher rate of concussion than athletes who are hearing. Rate of concussion in football may be greater among athletes who are hearing compared with athletes who are D/HoH.