Dynamics of sensorineural hearing loss after head trauma.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the temporal endpoint of permanent sensorineural hearing loss after head trauma.


METHODS
Retrospective observational case study.


METHODS
In patients with sensorineural hearing loss caused by head trauma, 1,741 ears were studied.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Segal
Samuel
S
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel 70300. samuels@asaf.health.gov.il
Eviatar
Ephraim
E
Berenholz
Leonard
L
Kessler
Alexander
A
Shlamkovitch
Nathan
N
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index