Objective: To estimate the temporal endpoint of permanent sensorineural hearing loss after head trauma.
Study design: Retrospective observational case study.
Patients: In patients with sensorineural hearing loss caused by head trauma, 1,741 ears were studied.
Main outcome measure: A follow-up survey of audiograms in patients with sensorineural hearing loss after head trauma was performed for up to 4 years from the date of injury. Each patient's audiograms were compared according to a severity score that specifically classified hearing loss that was associated with acoustic trauma.
Results: Either improvement or deterioration of the early posttrauma hearing loss occurred during the first year after head trauma. Thereafter, hearing levels could be expected to remain stationary.
Conclusion: Fluctuation in hearing after head trauma may take place within the first year after trauma, after which the associated hearing loss should be considered to be stabilized.