Acoustic trauma

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Sound wave transmission

Acoustic trauma is injury to the hearing mechanisms in the inner ear due to very loud noise.

Injury - inner ear; Trauma - inner ear; Ear injury

Acoustic trauma is a common cause of sensory hearing loss. Damage to the hearing mechanisms within the inner ear may be caused by:

• An explosion near the ear
• Gunshots
• Long-term exposure to loud noises (such as loud music or machinery)

Review Date: 08/04/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Seth Schwartz, MD, MPH, Otolaryngologist, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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