Hearing Loss Following Trauma

Direct trauma to ear or head injury can cause conductive, sensorineural or mixed hearing loss

Management of conductive hearing loss

  • Often delayed as polytrauma
  • May need facial nerve decompression if no recovery and EMG studies
  • Many need to manage CSF leak, most settle but may need repair
  • May need hearing restoration - hearing aid or ossiculoplasty

Management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss

  • Treat as emergency
  • Weber test
  • High dose steroids (1 mg/kg)
  • Consider intratypanic treatment