Prospective Study on Hearing Loss Following Temporal Bone Fracture in Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Centre

Background: Temporal bone fractures are a frequent consequence of head injury and are commonly associated with hearing loss. In polytrauma settings, auditory deficits may be overlooked, leading to delayed diagnosis and management. Understanding the relationship between fracture pattern and hearing loss is essential for prognostication and early intervention. Objectives: To evaluate the proportion, type, degree, and outcome of hearing loss following temporal bone fractures and to analyse its association with fracture type. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted over 18 months at a tertiary care centre and included 65 patients with radiologically confirmed temporal bone fractures. Audiological evaluation using pure tone audiometry or auditory brainstem response was performed within 72 hours of injury. Patients with hearing loss were followed up at 1, 3, and 6 months as indicated. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: The majority of patients were aged 31–40 years, with a male predominance (83%). Road traffic accidents were the most common cause of injury (86%). Longitudinal fractures constituted 80% of cases. Conductive hearing loss was the most frequently observed type (65.4%), followed by mixed hearing loss, while some patients had normal hearing. Longitudinal fractures were predominantly associated with conductive hearing loss, whereas transverse and oblique fractures showed a higher association with mixed and sensorineural hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss showed significant improvement on follow-up, while sensorineural hearing loss demonstrated limited recovery. Conclusion: Hearing loss is a common complication of temporal bone fractures, and fracture pattern is an important predictor of type and outcome of auditory impairment. Early audiological assessment and systematic follow-up are essential to optimise hearing outcomes in these patients.