Titre du document / Document title

Auditory symptoms in whiplash patients : Could earwax occlusion be a benign cause?

Auteur(s) / Author(s)

FERRARI Robert ;

Résumé / Abstract

BACKGROUND Excess cerumen (earwax) in the external auditory canal is associated with symptoms of earache, fullness in the ears, and diminished hearing. These symptoms, and tinnitus, are commonly associated with whiplash injury. METHODS Eighty-six whiplash patients were examined to determine if there was a correlation between symptoms of earache, fullness in the ear, diminished hearing, and tinnitus, and the degree of cerumen occlusion. Cerumen occlusion was measured by visualisation of the tympanic membrane and graded according to a 4 point scale. RESULTS Of 71 subjects reporting no acute onset (within 7 days of the collision that caused their whiplash) earache, fullness in the ears, hearing loss, or tinnitus, 62 had little or no cerenum occlusion. Of seven subjects reporting tinnitus but no other auditory symptoms, none had greater than moderate cerenum occlusion. Of eight subjects reporting one or more of acute onset earache, fullness in the ears, diminished hearing, and tinnitus, seven had complete cerenum occlusion in the affected ear. DISCUSSION The findings suggest high grade cerumen occlusion frequently occurs in the ear affected by acute auditory symptoms. However, tinnitus alone has no apparent association with cerumen occlusion. It is possible that a significant number of acute onset auditory symptoms reported in whiplash patients have a benign cause.

Revue / Journal Title

Australian family physician   ISSN 0300-8495 

Source / Source

2006, vol. 35, n^o5, pp. 367-368 [2 page(s) (article)]

Langue / Language

Anglais

Editeur / Publisher

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Sydney, AUSTRALIE  (1972) (Revue)

Localisation / Location

INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 18416, 35400011543239.0170