@article{ref1,
title="Otologic injuries caused by airbag deployment",
journal="Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery",
year="1999",
author="Mcfeely, W. J. and Bojrab, Dennis I. and Davis, K. G. and Hegyi, D. F.",
volume="121",
number="4",
pages="367-373",
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.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0194-5998",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}