Airbags Can Leave You Deaf

A new research made on cars sold in US revealed a permanent hearing loss occurring in 17 % of people exposed to airbag deployment.

Cars sold in US have front and side airbags, and are required to have larger, more powerful airbags than those sold in Europe and other parts of the world.

"Cars with smaller airbags likely pose less of a hearing threat", said Dr. G. Richard Price, a consultant at Auditory Hazard Analysis in Charlestown, Md., and study's author.

There is a widespread belief that rolled down windows would impede hearing damage but the study found the contrary: those inside the car are more likely to suffer hearing damage in this situation.

It had been thought that the rolled up windows were more dangerous to hearing due to more pressure inside the car.

"I found that the higher pressure caused by airbag deployment in cars with rolled up windows actually prevents greater damage to the ear. The increased pressure with the windows rolled up actually causes a displacement in the middle ear that stiffens the stapes, which is a small bone outside the inner ear," said Price.

The staple's stiffening is crucial in limiting the damage induced by the shock energy transmitted to inner ear, which in case of harming leads to deafness because it harbors the auditory sensors.

"In fact, experiments showed that hearing damage is further reduced when a passenger cabin is completely sealed, resulting in even higher pressure when airbags deploy," Price said.

"Price's work offers a glimpse at an aspect of new technologies people rarely think about. We often consider only the benefits of safety technology, rather than the unfortunate potential side effects. This type of study highlights how common everyday occurrences present a very real hazard to our hearing," said NHCA Director of Education Brian Fligor.