Injury to the ear

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Injury to the ear

Ear injuries can occur in a variety of ways.

• A forceful, direct blow to the side of the head can increase air pressure inside the ear canal, leading to a ruptured eardrum or a disruption of the tiny bones in the inner ear that transmit sound.
• Extremely loud, explosive noises can increase the air pressure inside the ear canal and damage the eardrum (acoustic trauma).
• Dramatic decreases in atmospheric pressure changes can cause the eustachian tube to compress, which prevents air from entering the middle ear. This leaves the middle ear unable to compensate for the change in pressure outside the ear.
  • If the difference between the middle ear pressure and the atmospheric pressure is great enough, the eardrum can rupture.
  • If the pressure difference is minimal but is maintained for a prolonged period of time, the negative pressure within the middle ear causes fluid to be pulled into it (otitis media with effusion).
• Cuts or scrapes may injure the outer ear or ear canal.
• Aggressive or inappropriate techniques when cleaning the ear canal can cause irritation or injury.
• Burns or frostbite can cause ear injuries (thermal injuries).
• Objects placed forcefully in the ear can cause injury.

Credits

Last updated:	February 23, 2006
Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Donald R. Mintz, MD - Otolaryngology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer