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Alternative names Return to top
Injury - inner ear; Trauma - inner ear; Ear injuryDefinition Return to top
Acoustic trauma is injury to the hearing mechanisms within the inner ear, caused by excessively loud noise.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Acoustic trauma is a common cause of sensory hearing loss. Damage to the hearing mechanisms within the inner ear may result from an explosion near the ear, gunshots, or long exposure to loud noises (such as loud music or loud machinery).Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
A good indicator of acoustic trauma is when hearing loss follows exposure to noise. Audiometry may determine the extent of the hearing loss.Treatment Return to top
The hearing loss may not be correctable. The goal of treatment is to heal the injury and protect the ear from further damage.Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
Hearing loss may be permanent in the affected ear(s). Ear protection may prevent the hearing loss from worsening.Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms are suggestive of acoustic trauma, or any time that hearing loss occurs or worsens.Prevention Return to top
Wear protective ear plugs or earmuffs to protect against damage from loud equipment. Be aware of risks connected with activities such as shooting guns, using chain saws, driving motorcycles, or driving snowmobiles or similar vehicles. Do not listen to loud music for long periods of time. Update Date: 2/5/2003 Updated by: Edward Chang, MD, DDS, Facial Reconstructive Surgical and Medical Center, Palo Alto California. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |