Nerve deafness?

[ZenSquirrel]

I saw a couple posts about hearing loss that mentioned nerve deafness. I'm curious as to how scuba diving can contribute to this problem.

 

[DocVikingo]

Scuba-related sensorineural or nerve deafness typically is the result of injury to the inner ear http://216.239.39.104/search?q=cach...er/ear.html+inner+ear+diagram&hl=en&ie=UTF-8, and more particularly to the cochlear nerve.

Improper equalization of the middle air space upon descent or ascent can result in pressures great enough to rupture delicate membranes on the exterior of the inner ear, most particularly the oval and round windows http://66.102.11.104/search?q=cache....htm+oval+round+window+anatomy&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 .

Damage to the hearing nerves within the inner ear can occur both from the increase in pressure itself and from infection secondary to middle ear fluids entering this normally sealed space.

Helpful?

DocVikingo

 

[ZenSquirrel]

DocVikingo once bubbled...
Helpful?
DocVikingo

Thanks!