OBJECTIVE: To estimate the temporal endpoint of permanent sensorineural hearing loss after head trauma. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective observational case study. PATIENTS: In patients with sensorineural hearing loss caused by head trauma, 1,741 ears were studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: A follow-up survey of audiograms in patients with sensorineural hearing loss after head trauma was performed for up to 4 years from the date of injury. Each patient's audiograms were compared according to a severity score that specifically classified hearing loss that was associated with acoustic trauma. RESULTS: Either improvement or deterioration of the early posttrauma hearing loss occurred during the first year after head trauma. Thereafter, hearing levels could be expected to remain stationary. CONCLUSION: Fluctuation in hearing after head trauma may take place within the first year after trauma, after which the associated hearing loss should be considered to be stabilized.
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the temporal endpoint of permanent sensorineural hearing loss after head trauma. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective observational case study. PATIENTS: In patients with sensorineural hearing loss caused by head trauma, 1,741 ears were studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: A follow-up survey of audiograms in patients with sensorineural hearing loss after head trauma was performed for up to 4 years from the date of injury. Each patient's audiograms were compared according to a severity score that specifically classified hearing loss that was associated with acoustic trauma. RESULTS: Either improvement or deterioration of the early posttrauma hearing loss occurred during the first year after head trauma. Thereafter, hearing levels could be expected to remain stationary. CONCLUSION: Fluctuation in hearing after head trauma may take place within the first year after trauma, after which the associated hearing loss should be considered to be stabilized.
Authors: Angela M Bellmunt; Rhonda Roberts; Walter T Lee; Kris Schulz; Melissa A Pynnonen; Matthew G Crowson; David Witsell; Kourosh Parham; Alan Langman; Andrea Vambutas; Sheila E Ryan; Jennifer J Shin Journal: Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg Date: 2016-07 Impact factor: 3.497