HEAD TRAUMA - HEARING-LOSS AND DIZZINESS

Objective: Because the physicians who care for patients with head trau ma may be family practitioners or internists, this article provides th ese physicians some knowledge of the causes and patho-physiology of su ch trauma with respect to neurotologic sequelae to aid in their decisi ons to seek consultation with neurotologists and otoneurologists in di agnosis and management. Methods: This article reviews the literature c oncerning differential diagnosis, appropriate evaluation, acid possibl e treatments of patients who exhibit hearing loss and dizziness after head trauma, whiplash injuries, or both, I also relate those findings to my extensive experience with such neurotologic problems. Findings: The findings are grouped according to injuries that cause dizziness, i ncluding trauma to the brain stem-eighth nerve complex, the semicircul ar canals (labyrinthine concussion), benign paroxysmal positional vert igo, Meniere's syndrome-vestibular symptoms, perilymphatic fistula-ves tibular symptoms, and cervical vertigo; and those that cause hearing l oss, including trauma to the brain, eighth nerve, middle ear, cochlear concussion, Meniere's syndrome, and perilymphatic fistula.