Delayed endolymphatic hydrops syndrome after heavy exposure to impulse noise.

This study reports otoneurologic findings in 18 senior army officers with noise-induced hearing loss, balance disturbance, and history of long exposure to impulse noise from firearms. Most of the patients had symptoms resembling those of Meniere's disease. The risk of Meniere-type symptoms appears to be significantly higher among impulse-noise-exposed professional soldiers than in the normal population. The possibility of endolymphatic hydrops as the underlying pathophysiologic mechanism is discussed in light of recent observations.