Ear Trauma Outline

MEDICAL TERM
Same

AGE
Any

SYMPTOMS

• Headache
• Hearing loss
• Ear pain
• Dizziness

Most commonly seen after head trauma involving the back or side of the head.  Seen in bicycle and automobile accidents

PHYSICAL EXAM

• Blood behind the ear drum, may be a black color (hemotympanum)
• Hole in the ear drum
• Blood in the ear canal

With fractures of the base of skull, one may see blood coming from the ear and a bruise behind the ear (Battle’s sign).

LAB

• Neurosensory hearing loss
• NEVER DO TYMPANOMETRY (the pressure may cause damage)
• Conductive hearing loss
• Skull X-rays and/or CT Scan

TREATMENT

• Bed rest
• Steroids
• Surgery
• NO WATER IN THE EAR

Treatment depends on the severity of the injury.

REFERRAL
Depends on the extent of the injury, if symptoms such as those mentioned above are present the patient should be seen by a doctor.

PREVENTION
Wear seat belts, stay off of motorcycles.