Citation

Mcfeely WJ, Bojrab DI, Davis KG, Hegyi DF. Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. 1999; 121(4): 367-373.

Affiliation

Michigan Ear Institute, Department of Otolaryngology, Farmington Hills, MI 48334, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10504589

Abstract

Airbags are clearly successful at mitigating injury severity during motor vehicle accidents. Deployment unfortunately has introduced new injury-causing mechanisms. A retrospective review of 20 patients who sustained otologic injuries resulting from airbag inflation was conducted. The most common symptoms were hearing loss in 17 (85%) and tinnitus in 17 (85%). Objective hearing loss was documented in 21 of 24 (88%) subjectively affected ears; this included unilateral and bilateral sensorineural, unilateral conductive, and mixed hearing losses. Ten patients (50%) had dysequilibrium. Four subjects (20%) had a tympanic membrane perforation; each required surgical closure. Ear orientation toward the airbag was found to be associated with hearing loss (P = 0.027), aural fullness (P = 0.039), and tympanic membrane perforation (P = 0.0004). A wide variety of airbag-induced otologic injuries occur and may have long-term sequelae. It is important for health care personnel to be aware of these potential problems.

Language: en