Otologic effects of air bag deployment

Abstract

The Medical Aspects of Noise Subcommittee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery published two requests, in the Academy’s monthly journal the Bulletin, for information from otolaryngologists on patients that had been exposed to airbag deployment and developed otologic compliants. There were 20 otolaryngologists that replied with reports of 29 patients that had been evaluated for hearing loss, tinnitus, and or vertigo. Seven patients had pre- and post-airbag deployment audiograms that document sensorineural hearing loss. Eighteen patients had asymmetrical sensorineural hearing loss on post airbag deployment audiogram. The most common symptoms after airbag deployment were tinnitus (17) and hearing loss (16). There were two reports of tympanic membrane perforations and one report of a perilymph fistula after exposure to airbag deployment. Two patients complained of vertigo. Two patients complained of recruitment.