A Study on the Effectiveness of Treatment of Acoustic Trauma Caused by Gunshot Noise

Jung, Hye Won; Lee, Ho Il; Kim, Jong Yang; Joo, Joon Bum; Cho, Ju Eun

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The effectiveness of many treatment regimens on acoustic trauma has been debated, but there is no established treatment yet. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of steroid treatment in acoustic trauma caused by rifles and to find a critical time limit for the treatment to be effective.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
A retrospective review was conducted for 86 conscripted policemen (97 ears) who suffered acoustic trauma after rifle exercise. Pure tone audiograms were compared before and after treatment at 0.5, 1 and 2 kHz (speech-frequency pure tone average, speech-PTA) and at 4, 6 and 8 kHz (high tone pure tone average, high-PTA). Treatment consisted of drugs (steroid, ascorbic acid, gingko biloba, dextran) and carbogen therapy. The patients who came to the hospital after the first 14 days following injury were grouped as control. Hearing outcomes of patients treated within 3 days and within 7 days were compared to the control. Pre-and post-treatment hearing was compared according to the elapsed time before treatment.
RESULTS
Hearing outcomes of patients who received treatment within 3 days of acoustic trauma was better than the control group. Speech-frequency did not show any difference. Treatment within 7 days showed no statistical difference compared to the control. Hearing gain was better when treated within 7 days, especially if it was within 3 days. Speech-frequency showed significant spontaneous recovery within 3 days.
CONCLUSION
Our data showed a possible effectiveness of treatment of acoustic trauma on the recovery of high frequency hearing when started within 3 days. Speech-frequency seems to recover spontaneously within 3 days.