Can a Simple Kiss on the Ear Cause Auditory Problems?

The answer to the question posed by this title is an unfortunate “yes!” Tinnitus, hyperacusis and permanent sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) can result from a single, affectionate kiss to the ear.1,2

Although ear kissing has undoubtedly been around as long as humans, the surprisingly pathologic result of this simple gesture first appeared in print as recently as August 2008.3 The initial case involved a four-year-old child who hugged her mom and gave her a loving smooch on her left ear canal. Mom’s immediate experience was severe, deep ear pain; loud, screeching tinnitus; total hearing loss; and facial twitching in the region of the ear – all on the left side. Within the next several hours, her total hearing loss recovered to a stable 35 dB SNHL in the middle hearing frequencies. The loss remains at that level two and a half years later. The patient continued to suffer from tinnitus and facial spasms for about one year. During that time she also developed hyperacusis and distortion in the clarity of her hearing in the left ear. Today, the SNHL, hyperacusis and distortion remain. The tinnitus is now noticeable primarily in quiet surroundings, and the facial spasms occur only after experiencing excessively loud noise at a wedding, live concert or other noisy venue.

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Yeah, it has the tendency to create a vacuum. I think it's worse than a slap on the ear since the lips can actually fit snug into the ear canal.

 

Thank you for this story John. Very helpful to document these things.

 

This is why it's best to avoid most human interactions.

 

Yes, that is why kissing the way Europeans do, for example the Dutch, is potentially very dangerous.

Fornication should involve hearing protection and for sufferers of hyperacusis "spanking " should try and be avoided.

 

I think it's more like you have turned the ear into a trumpet's mouthpiece.

 

I am sorry to hear about your experience @JohnAdams. I hope the spike does settle.

 

https://www.invadingholland.com/guides-to-holland/the-three-kiss-rule

Is this what you are talking about... The 3 kiss rule??
Oh my!
I'm a New Yorker!..

Hey @JohnAdams , I hope the spikes settles and you feel better soon.

 

@JohnAdams , I hope the spikes settles and you feel better soon.[/QUOTE]
Me too.

 

#Metoo

 

Yah, three kiss rule. My sister in law is Dutch, I've travelled there a lot. They also happen to be the tallest people on earth.

My mom is a New Yorker, my dad is from Poughkeepsie. By, Once, take care.

 

I agree with the fornication suggestion re. hearing protection DL - but it’s only necessary if you are particularly gifted in that field mate.

(Please form an orderly queue girls.)

 

Yes, they are! lol.

 

This is EXACTLY what happened to me.

 

Mmmmmm. A plunger.