Blast injury to the ear has long been acknowledged as potentially incapacitating. This paper discusses the scope of these injuries in terms of the anatomic and physiologic consequences. Management of both acute and chronic injuries is discussed, with specific regard to the deficits in a patient's functional ability once blast injury has occurred.
KerrAGByrneJET. Blast injuries of the ear. Br Med J1975;1:559–61.
2.
KerrAGByrneJE. Concussive effects of bomb blast on the ear. J Laryngol Otol1975;89:131–43.
3.
PrattHGoldsherMNetzerAShenhauR. Auditory brainstem evoked potentials in blast injury. Audiology1985;24:297–304.
4.
SudderthME. Tympanoplasty in blast-induced perforation. Arch Otolaryngol1974;99:157–9.
5.
KerrAG. Trauma and the temporal bone. The effects of blast on the ear. J Laryngol Otol1980;94:107–10.
6.
MesservyM. Unilateral ossicular disruption following blast exposure. Laryngoscope1972;82:372–5.
7.
CooperGJMaynardRLCrossHLHillJF. Casualties from terrorist bombings. J Trauma1983;23:955–67.
8.
AndersonJ. Audiometric survey of royal artillery gun crews following “Operation Corporate”. J R Army Med Corps1984;130:100–8.
9.
BrownJR. Noise-induced hearing loss sustained during land operations in the Falkland Island campaign, 1985. J Soc Occup Med1985;35:44–54.
10.
MelinekMNagganLAltmanM. Acute acoustic trauma — a clinical investigation and prognosis in 433 symptomatic soldiers. Isr J Med Sci1976;12:562–9.
11.
PahorAL. The ENT problems following the Birmingham bombings. J Laryngol Otol1981;95:399–406.
12.
ZivMPhilipsohnNCLeventonGManA. Blast injury of the ear: treatment and evaluation. Milit Med1973;138:811–3.
13.
Gapany-GapanaviciusBBramaIChisinR. Early repair of blast ruptures of the tympanic membrane. J Laryngol Otol1977;91:565–73.
14.
KanimturkE. Clinical evaluation of traumatic perforations of the tympanic membrane. Int Rev Army Navy Air Force Med Serv1979;6:523–6.
15.
RugglesRLVotypkaR. Blast injuries to the ears. Laryngoscope1973;83:974–6.
16.
KokinakisWRudolphRR. An assessment of the current state-of-the-art of incapacitation by air-blast. Acta Chir Scand [Suppl]1982;508:135–51.
17.
HepskindMM. Auditory impairment due to battle incurred acoustic trauma. In: DeBakeyM, ed. Surgery in WW II. Ophthalmology and otolaryngology. Washington, DC: Office of the Surgeon General, Department of the Army, 1957:489–511.
