What is blast deafness?

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This term is actually not very common, but it was very common during the war years. Blast deafness is also known as intermittent pulse noise damage. A simple explanation is that it is caused by the pulse generated by a bullet or bomb explosion, which is the shock wave plus the sound. Damage to the inner ear, causing hearing loss.


What is blast deafness?


Explosive deafness refers to the pressure generated by gunfire, bombs and other explosive explosions Waves cause middle and inner ear damage and hearing loss.

If this kind of phenomenon occurs, seek medical treatment in time. Do not drop medicine randomly. Make sure the ear canal is dry and no water can enter. People with acute hearing loss should stop noise exposure as soon as possible and receive medication. If the eardrum is perforated and does not heal on its own within 3 to 6 months, repair surgery should be performed promptly.



What is the cause of blast deafness?

During wars and military exercises, the main detonations are caused by various guns, cannons and other gunpowder weapons. In modern warfare, high-tech weapons such as missiles and nuclear weapons cause detonations that are more intense and have a wider range. . Various civilian explosives such as firecrackers, fireworks, etc. during peacetime, as well as explosive operations during mining, quarrying, construction, and road construction. The presence of non-explosive explosives in life, such as high-pressure vessels such as boilers, gas tanks, oxygen chambers and pressure cookers, is also one of the causes of accidental explosions.


Explosion injuries are injuries caused by the rapid expansion of high-temperature, high-pressure gas at the moment of detonation, forming shock waves and strong noise, which directly act on the human body. Shock waves are an important factor that damages hearing organs. It is generally believed that a pressure of 0.14-0.35kdcm2 can cause tympanic membrane rupture, and a pressure of 4-7kg/cm2 can cause damage to the inner ear, including ossicular chain fracture and dislocation, intratympanic hemorrhage, round window membrane rupture, and damage to hair cells, cochlear nerve, and auditory nerve. The main way that shock waves cause damage to hearing organs is through the external auditory canal, or through the Eustachian tube, or through skull conduction, causing labyrinth oscillations.

Blast deafness is very common clinicallyBlast deafness is mainly caused by patients being exposed to loud sounds at work or in life, such as gunshots or explosions.


During clinical examination, it can be seen that there are fresh blood stains in the external auditory canal, congestion of the tympanic membrane, and in severe cases, triangular or oval perforation of the tympanic membrane. At the same time, there will be corresponding damage to the cochlea and auditory nerve. During an electrical audiometry examination, there will be severe or extremely severe hearing loss in one or both ears.

When blast deafness occurs, the patient needs active hospitalization to improve the blood supply to the inner ear and neurotrophic treatment. At the same time, you need to actively avoid exposure to tobacco, alcohol, and spicy foods, and take appropriate physical exercise to enhance your immunity. Blast deafness will gradually return to normal. The patient needs to avoid further exposure to noise and loud sounds in the future.

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