NON-ACOUSTIC TRAUMA TO THE INNER EAR

Abstract

Non-acoustic trauma to the inner ear can be classified into five major categories including: barotrauma, mechanical trauma, surgical trauma, chemical trauma or radiation trauma. Inner ear barotrauma, occurs during flying and diving, this causes tears in the intracochelear membrane, hemorrhage in the inner ear, perilymph fistula or nitrogen bubbles which can affect inner ear blood supply (decompression sickness). Mechanical inner ear trauma results from blunt or penetrating trauma which can cause fractures affecting the inner ear. Chemical injury results from administration of systemic agents as Aminoglycosides, cis-platinum, salicylates, quinines, loop diuretics, erythromycin, vancomycin, centrally acting agents as lllllpramme, 5-hydroxytryptamine and carbamazepine, or ototopical as neomycin, chloramphenicol, corticosteroids and ethanol.