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Audiometric configurations following exposure to explosions
1Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, PO Box 3235, Jerusalem, Israel. perezro@internet-zahav.net
Archives of Otolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery
|October 14, 2000
Summary
Audiograms after explosions show varied patterns, with downward slopes and dips being most common. This finding aids understanding of inner ear damage from blast injuries.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Audiology
- Trauma Medicine
Background:
- Explosions can cause hearing damage.
- Understanding audiometric patterns post-explosion is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify characteristic audiogram configurations in patients shortly after explosion exposure.
- To analyze the incidence of different audiometric patterns.
Main Methods:
- Audiometric testing was performed on 143 patients (286 ears) injured in severe explosions.
- Most audiograms were obtained within 4 hours of exposure.
- Analysis included audiogram configurations like slope, dip, and flat patterns.
Main Results:
- 46% of audiograms showed a downward slope, 41% a dip, and 12% were flat.
- A significant number (19%) exhibited 6-kHz dips.
- Patients with slope configurations were older than those with dip configurations.
Conclusions:
- No single typical audiometric configuration exists post-explosion.
- Slope and dip patterns are the most frequent and equally prevalent.
- Findings enhance understanding of explosion-induced inner ear damage.