A sound trauma is a hearing disorder that affects the inner ear (destruction of hair cells) due to exposure to excessive sound levels. The latter can be accidental and sudden (acute trauma) or prolonged (behavioral trauma). It usually causes permanent hearing loss. The sound trauma is a medical emergency. It is advisable to react quickly in the event of acute trauma by consulting a specialist.

What is sound trauma?

Sound trauma is damage to the inner ear (cochlea) causing damage to sensory cells (hair cells). These injuries are caused by sudden or prolonged exposure (chronic sound trauma) to excessive noise. This trauma can be accompanied by tinnitus and/or hyperacusis. There are two types of noise trauma:

– Chronic or prolonged sound trauma: this results from repeated behavior over time, with chronic exposure to high sound levels (systematic listening to headphones, amplified music concerts, occupational deafness due to work such as in the metallurgy or the building, etc.)

– Acute or accidental sound trauma: is caused by brutal and sudden exposure to an excessive sound level (an explosion, a deflagration, a gunshot, a blast, etc.). This type of trauma can directly impact hearing, leading to hearing loss. Generally, frequencies between 4000 and 6000 Hz are the most affected, with a significant notch visible on the audiogram. In some cases, the hearing loss can be temporary, so you must consult quickly (within 24 hours) to obtain appropriate treatment and recover your faculties.

The destruction of hair cells

A sound trauma involves the destruction of some or all of the sensory cells housed in the cochlea (inner ear). Once destroyed, they cannot be recovered. Damage to the inner ear structures involves hearing loss but can also develop other complications such as hyperacusis or permanent tinnitus.

Symptoms of acute sound trauma:

The acute acoustic shock appears after a brief exposure (a brutal sound or for a short period such as an evening in a nightclub). Symptoms are usually:

– Abrupt and sudden hearing loss

– Headaches

– Auditory fatigue

– Sound distortions

– A clogged or cottony feeling in the ears

– Tinnitus of varying intensity (ringing or ringing in the ears)

– Dizziness, loss of balance

– Possibly hypersensitivity to noise (hyperacusis), in some cases the person may have ear pain when listening to certain sounds

– Possibly pain (e.g. perforated eardrum)

What to do in case of sound trauma?

Acoustic trauma is a medical emergency. If the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, you must consult as soon as possible. We even advise you to consult immediately, if possible. Indeed, the longer you wait, the more the consequences of the trauma on your hearing health are likely to be definitive. You must consult promptly for support to maximize the chances of recovery, especially if you suffer from tinnitus, which can become permanent.

A sound trauma is a medical emergency – Consult:

In the event of sound trauma, you must consult as soon as possible (doctor, ENT, emergencies, etc.) to put the odds on your side in order to preserve your hearing abilities as much as possible.