CBIS Spotlight: Shahrzad Cohen

Shahrzad Cohen, Au.D., M.S., CH-TM, ABA-C, CBIS, is a Doctor of Audiology, Certified Brain Injury Specialist, and Board-Certified Audiologist. She is the founder of Hearing Loss Solutions and Audiological Tinnitus Solutions Corp., where she specializes in tinnitus, traumatic brain injury-related auditory dysfunction, and complex medico-legal evaluations. Her work sits at the intersection of neuroscience, clinical care, and functional recovery. Dr. Cohen earned her Doctor of Audiology from the University of Florida, Gainesville, and earned her master’s degree in audiology and communication disorders from California State University, Northridge. She is the founder and clinical director of multiple audiology practices and Vice Chair of the American Tinnitus Association’s Board of Directors.

Why have you chosen a career in brain injury?

My path into brain injury was not accidental; it was driven by clinical observation. I repeatedly saw patients with “normal” hearing tests who were struggling profoundly: difficulty understanding speech, sound sensitivity, tinnitus, and cognitive fatigue. These patients were often overlooked because their deficits were invisible on standard audiograms. I also saw patients with brain injury who were misdiagnosed simply due to not hearing or not fully understanding the evaluation instructions.

I realized early on that traditional audiology was not enough. Patients with brain injuries require a deeper understanding of how the brain processes sound, not just how the ear detects it. That realization became a defining focus of my career.

What drives my passion is the impact it has. When you help a brain injury patient reconnect with sound—when they can follow a conversation again, tolerate environments, or reduce the burden of tinnitus—you are restoring more than hearing. You are restoring independence, identity, and dignity.

How has the field of brain injury changed in your time working?

Over the course of my career, the field of brain injury has undergone a significant shift. We have moved from a predominantly structural understanding of injury to a more functional and network-based model.

In audiology specifically, the field is finally moving beyond just peripheral hearing loss to the effects of hearing loss on cognition and overall quality of life. Conditions such as auditory processing disorder, hyperacusis, and tinnitus are now better understood as neurologically driven, rather than purely ear-based.

Additionally, interdisciplinary collaboration has improved. We are now seeing stronger integration between audiologists, neurologists, neuropsychologists, SLPs, and rehabilitation specialists. However, there is still a gap in awareness, particularly in recognizing audiology as a critical component of brain injury care.

Why is having a CBIS important to you, and how does it help you in your daily work?

Becoming a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) was a meaningful step in my professional journey. It formalized my expertise within the broader brain injury community and reinforced the importance of interdisciplinary language and care models.

In my daily work, CBIS training enhances my ability to:

• Understand the full spectrum of brain injury sequelae
• Communicate effectively with multidisciplinary teams
• Develop more comprehensive, patient-centered treatment plans

It also strengthens my ability to advocate for patients—particularly in medico-legal settings—where understanding the complexity of brain injury is essential.

What are some challenges you have faced working with individuals with brain injury?

One of the greatest challenges in working with individuals with brain injury is the invisible nature of their symptoms. Many patients look “normal,” yet struggle with overwhelming auditory and cognitive difficulties. Many patients do not even mention the tinnitus to avoid further evaluations or being labeled as mentally unstable.

Another challenge is fragmentation of care. Patients often see multiple providers, yet their auditory symptoms may go unaddressed or misunderstood. This can lead to frustration, delayed recovery, and reduced quality of life. Furthermore, the lack of direct attention to invisible tinnitus or hearing loss by medical professionals makes it more difficult for families to seek help.

Finally, there remains a lack of standardized protocols for evaluating and treating auditory dysfunction in TBI, underscoring the need for continued research and education across all allied health fields and among physicians. The education must start with us professionals to expand to researchers and universities.

How can clinicians best support individuals, caregivers, and family members?

Clinicians can best support individuals with brain injury by adopting a holistic, patient-centered approach. This includes:

• Probing the patient’s experience, even when symptoms are not visible
• Educating patients and families about auditory dysfunction and its neurological basis
• Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams
• Providing referrals for hearing evaluation to rule out possible auditory or vestibular damage

Equally important is supporting caregivers, who often play a critical role in recovery but may feel overwhelmed and under-informed. Remember that hearing loss affects the family’s communication dynamics and can lead to frustration, isolation, and strained relationships.

What do you see as the future of the brain injury field?

I believe the future of brain injury care lies in precision medicine and interdisciplinary integration.

We are moving toward more personalized approaches that combine advanced diagnostics, neuromodulation therapies, and targeted rehabilitation strategies. In audiology, this includes innovations in tinnitus treatment, auditory training, and brain-based therapies.

Equally important is education. We must continue to train clinicians across disciplines to recognize and address auditory dysfunction as a core component of brain injury.