Ear Injuries From Automobile Airbag Deployment

It is well known that injuries from automobile airbag deployment are common, oftentimes resulting in serious injury or death. Common airbag injuries include catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injuries, chest injuries, broken bones, and chemical burns. What is less well known is that airbag deployment can result in ear injuries. These can include eardrum perforation, hearing loss, tinnitus, and even chronic dizziness. When an airbag deploys, the sound generated can reach 170 dB, equivalent to a shotgun blast or a rocket launch. Such injuries may necessitate prolonged medical treatment and even surgery. Even with appropriate treatment, permanent impairment such as hearing loss may occur. It is important that the public be made aware of such risks, so that appropriate medical treatment can be provided. Also, it is important for industry and political leaders to be aware of this problem, in order to come up with solutions to decrease these explosive blast effects.