Introduction: Noise exposure causes different insults on hearing ranging from mild
to severe damages. Objectives: We assessed the effects of acute auditory trauma on
hearing at the front line of Braiga, near Benghazi, Libya, from February to November
2011. Patients and Methods: A total of 236 acoustic injury cases referred to audiology
department, Hawari ENT Center, Benghazi, were studied. These cases were either seen
directly after injury or referred from other hospitals after treatment of associated
injuries. History, examination, and audiological assessment in the form of pure tone
audiogram were done using Ad629 interacoustic. Results: A total of 236 cases were studied; aged 21–30 years. All were not using measures
to protect ear and hearing. The majority of these cases (96.6%) complained of hearing
loss and tinnitus. Most of the hearing loss (75.0%) was of the sensorineural hearing
loss (SNHL) type. More than 32% had moderate to severe hearing loss. Treatment was
given according to type and degree of hearing loss. Patients who was diagnosed as
hearing loss (H.L) of S.N type, treatment plan was either hyperbaric oxygenation,
hearing aids or cochlear implants according to degree of H.L and availability of treatment.
Conclusions: Explosions cause hearing insult of different types and different degrees.
The most commonly noted type is sever to profound SNHL. Therapies needed included
hearing aids in SNHL or tympanomastoidectomy in conductive hearing loss. Lack of use
of hearing protective measures does increase the number of hearing problems in individuals
at high risk.
Key-words:
Armed conflict - auditory trauma - hearing loss - mastoid exploration - myringotomy
- noise - tinnitus - tympanoplasty
