A Prospective Observational Study on the Pattern of Hearing Loss and Its Recovery in Temporal Bone Fractures

To study the pattern of hearing loss and its recovery in cases of temporal bone fractures. 95 cases of temporal bone fractures, selected from head injury cases, were examined in Trauma centre or Intensive care unit or in Otorhinolaryngology department in a tertiary care Army Hospital. Hearing loss was assessed by pure tone audiometry. The recovery pattern of hearing loss in each case was studied by further follow up audiometry after 30 days, 60 days and 90 days. Hearing loss was detected in 71 cases. Majority (42%) had mild degree of hearing loss followed by severe (18%). There were equal numbers of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. Hearing loss was higher in transverse (62%) and oblique (27%) fractures compared to longitudinal (11%). Severe, profound and high frequency hearing loss were more associated with otic capsule violating fractures as compared to otic capsule sparing fractures. Complete recovery to under 25dBHL as seen on day 30, 60 and 90 were 27%, 32% and 59% respectively. Hearing loss, though under reported, is an important complication which often occurs in all types of temporal bone fractures. Conductive hearing loss is as common as sensorineural one. Otic capsule violating fracture is more likely to cause severe and profound hearing loss. Complete recovery is not the rule.