Tinnitus in an active duty navy diver: A review of inner ear barotrauma, tinnitus, and its treatment.

Abstract

This case elucidates subtle cues that must be appreciated by the examiner in diving related injuries, who may not have experience with barotrauma-mediated pathology. Inner-ear barotrauma (IEBT) does not mandate ostensible hearing loss or vertigo; tinnitus may be the sole manifestation. Symptoms may present hours or even days post-dive. A common misconception exists that there are no efficacious treatment options for IEBT short of surgery for an overt perilymphatic fistula. Treatment options are available including acute high dose steroid administration, as prescribed for acute noise-induced or idiopathic hearing loss, optimally administered within three weeks of the acute insult. Tinnitus does not necessarily constitute a chronic untreatable symptom, which the patient must learn "to live with".