CONCUSSIVE BLAST-TYPE AURAL TRAUMA, EARDRUM PERFORATIONS, AND THEIR EFFECTS ON HEARING LEVELS - AN UPDATE ON MILITARY EXPERIENCE IN IZMIR, TURKEY

Thirty-two military personnel, exposed to blast injury in the last 15 months, have been investigated according to type of eardrum perforatio n and hearing loss in this retrospective study. It has been concluded that tympanic membrane perforations and hearing loss due to blast effe ct have individual patterns. Hearing loss due to trauma is not because of pressure environment alone. Final outcomes have justified the prev ious recommendations about ear protection in military staff, particula rly in those who are working with explosive materials. Ear muffs with ear phones are appropriate, providing ear protection as well as hearin g gain.