Review Article Barotrauma-Induced Hearing Loss

Barotrauma-induced hearing loss. A review. Talmi, Y. P., Finkelstein, Y. and Zohar, Y. (Department of Otolaryngology, Hasharon Hospital, Golda Medical Centre, Petah Tikvah, Israel). ScandAudiol 1991;20:1-9. With the current increase in commercial, military and sports diving to deeper depths, eases of middle and inner ear barotrauma are more frequently noted. Although most of the literature up to the late 1960s has emphasized middle ear barotrauma (MEBT), inner ear barotrauma (IEBT) is reported more frequently than before. MEBT and IEBT are major causes of diving induced hearing loss. MEBT should be treated by prevention and symptomatically when occurring. A labyrinthine window fistula necessitating surgical repair may be caused by IEBT. Although reports of IEBT are relatively few, this entity should be kept in mind and differentiated from other causes of diving-induced hearing loss. The relevant literature is reviewed and diagnosis and treatment are discussed.