TRAUMATIC INJURIES OF THE ORGAN OF HEARING IN MINERS AFTER EXPLOSION OF METHANE-AIR MIXTURE IN UNDERGROUND OPENINGS

Abstract

The objective of the work was to reveal the peculiarities of damage of the hearing organ at mine explosive trauma and to evaluate the effectiveness of the complex of the procedures during a long period of time. The testing of hearing was conducted in miners who suffered from explosions of methane-air mix on Raspadskaya mine in Mezhdurechensk of Kemerovo region. During the primary examination sensorineural hearing loss of various severity, post-traumatic otitis with rupture of tympanic membrane, unilateral deafness, thermal burns of ear auricles were revealed. All the injured had complex treatment including anti-neuritis therapy, and local anti-inflammatory treatment if necessary. Comparison group included miners who didn't significantly differ by age, working conditions and length of service. Traumatic injuries of the organ of hearing in miners after explosion of methane-air mixture at underground workings occur in 75 ± 3,6 % of cases. During the acute period many injured miners may not be serious enough about the auditory dysfunction on the background of another more expressed pathology. Early audiologic examination of injured miners with observance of all the rules, especially the rules of disguise allows to reveal acute posttraumatic sensorineural hearing loss and deafness. Therapy of hearing loss and middle ear pathology should begin as early as possible to achieve positive firm effect in improving and stabilizing of the hearing. Long-term dynamic monitoring, control of hearing, antineuritis therapy with an individual approach should be continued even after stabilization of the level of hearing loss.