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Isolated Sensorineural Hearing Loss as a Sequela after Lightning Strike
Mahfuz Turan1, Ferhat Kalkan2, Nazım Bozan1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical Faculty, Yüzüncü Yıl University, 65040 Van, Turkey.
Case Reports in Otolaryngology
|July 11, 2015
Summary
Lightning strikes can cause severe hearing loss and ear canal burns. This case highlights bilateral hearing loss after a strike, with one ear healing, a rare occurrence in medical literature.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neurology
- Traumatology
Background:
- Audiovestibular abnormalities are common sequelae in lightning strike survivors.
- Tympanic membrane perforation and external ear canal burns are the most frequent findings.
- Sensorineural and mixed hearing loss are rare but documented complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of bilateral hearing loss following a lightning strike.
- To emphasize the importance of comprehensive audiovestibular evaluation after lightning trauma.
- To document the unilateral healing of sensorineural hearing loss in this specific case.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 19-year-old female patient.
- Detailed audiological assessment including audiometry.
- Clinical examination of external ear canal and tympanic membrane.
Main Results:
- The patient sustained severe burns and bilateral hearing loss post-lightning strike.
- Left ear: 108 dB hearing loss with tympanic membrane perforation and external ear canal burn.
- Right ear: 52 dB sensorineural hearing loss, which showed signs of unilateral healing.
Conclusions:
- Lightning strikes pose a significant risk of severe audiological damage.
- Prompt and thorough audiovestibular evaluation is crucial for all lightning strike victims.
- The unilateral healing of sensorineural hearing loss in this bilateral case is exceptionally rare and warrants further investigation.
