Jamie M. Bogle, David Barrs, Matthew Wester, Laurie Davis & Michael J Cevette
Pages 425-428
Pages 425-428
Received 02 Oct 2015
Accepted 12 Mar 2016
Published online: 19 Apr 2016
International Journal of Audiology, Volume 55, Issue 7
Design: Retrospective chart review.
Study sample: We describe an otherwise healthy 22-year-old male who received a gunshot wound to the left mastoid and subsequently reported hearing loss and rotational vertigo. Results: Audiometric testing demonstrated significant inverted scoop shaped sensorineural hearing loss. Vestibular diagnostic testing indicated a significant uncompensated left peripheral vestibulopathy. Imaging demonstrated no structural changes to the middle ear or labyrinth, suggesting that the auditory and vestibular losses noted on diagnostic examination were likely due to labyrinthine concussion. Conclusions: Labyrinthine concussion may lead to reduced vestibular reflex pathway following gunshot wounds to the temporal bone. Clinical presentation is likely to vary significantly among cases.
The brain is all soft and delicate tissue. Any form of significant concussive force will result in some sort of brain trauma. Ask some veterans who have experienced such events and have come away with loss of capacity. This isn't necessarily a disabling incident, but, it could be an injury that should be far more concerning than simply a skined knee.
Muzzle velocity of a bullet fired from a military style weapons travels at approximately 1600 mph. The air and ear were disturbed by this projectile. Another man is dead and two other people are injured. None of these injuries are minor and concussion from such an injury is nothing to ignore.
