Concussive blast-type aural trauma, eardrum perforations, and their effects on hearing levels: an update on military experience in Izmir, Turkey.

Thirty-two military personnel, exposed to blast injury in the last 15 months, have been investigated according to type of eardrum perforation and hearing loss in this retrospective study. It has been concluded that tympanic membrane perforations and hearing loss due to blast effect have individual patterns. Hearing loss due to trauma is not because of pressure environment alone. Final outcomes have justified the previous recommendations about ear protection in military staff, particularly in those who are working with explosive materials. Ear muffs with ear phones are appropriate, providing ear protection as well as hearing gain.