Clinical Analysis of Hearing Loss after Mild Head Trauma.
- Author:
Dong Hee LEE
1
;
Chang Eun SONG
;
Sang Hee JUNG
;
Beom Cho JUN
;
Se Won PARK
;
Yong Hae SUNG
Author Information
1. Department of Otolaryngology-HNS, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. leedh0814@catholic.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Head injury closed;
Hearing loss;
Post-concussion syndrome
- MeSH:
Craniocerebral Trauma*;
Dizziness;
Ear;
Earache;
Head Injuries, Closed;
Head*;
Headache;
Hearing Loss*;
Hearing Loss, Conductive;
Hearing Loss, Mixed Conductive-Sensorineural;
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural;
Hearing*;
Humans;
Intracranial Hemorrhages;
Nervous System Diseases;
Post-Concussion Syndrome;
Retrospective Studies;
Temporal Bone;
Tinnitus
- From:Korean Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
2007;50(6):496-500
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the clinical characteristics of hearing impairment in patients who suffered a blunt head trauma without any organic problems, including temporal bone fracture or intracranial hemorrhage. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: This retrospective study examined 42 patients presenting with hearing impairment after blunt head trauma within five recent years. This study included only patients without temporal bone fracture or intracranial hemorrhage. RESULTS: Most patients (90.5%) complained of associated auditory symptoms including tinnitus, dizziness, earfullness and otalgia as well as headache. In 38 patients (90.5%), the symptom was developed on the injured day. Fifteen ears of 13 patients showed sensorineural hearing loss, 2 ears of 2 patients conductive hearing loss, and 10 ears of 8 patients mixed hearing loss. Twenty-four ears of 22 patients showed sensorineural hearing loss only above 4 kHz, 8 ears of 7 patients mild hearing loss, 10 ears of 8 patients moderate hearing loss, 3 ears of 3 patients had a moderately-severe hearing loss, and 6 ears of 6 patients had a profound hearing loss. All cases (24 ears of 22 patients) who had a normal four-tone average complained many otologic symptoms other than a hearing loss. CONCLUSION: Blunt head injury is one of the most common causes of the neurologic disorders. It is important to perform thorough assessment of auditory symptoms as soon as possible. Otologic consultation should be sought in all cases for appropriate management.
