Temporal Bone Fractures

Where is the temporal bone?

You have two temporal bones, one on each side of your head. The temporal bone goes around your ear, in your skull. It protects the part of your brain that controls hearing, speech, memory, and behavior.

Temporal Bone Fracture

A fracture is a broken bone. Breaks in this bone are cause by a hit to the side of the head.

Signs and Symptoms

• Hearing loss

• Nausea and vomiting

• Dizziness

• Leaking of cerebral spinal fluid from your nose or ears

• Facial nerve paralysis

• Bruising

Tests Needed

• CT scan of your head

• A test to check your hearing

• Facial nerve test

Complications

• Hearing loss

• Long-term dizziness or balance problems

• Facial nerve damage

• Infection
  

Treatment

Treatment and the time you spend in the hospital will depend on your injuries. Some fractures need surgery and some do not. If you have hearing loss, there is a good chance that it improve on its own. If it doesn’t, you may need surgery to repair. It could take a month or more to fully heal. It may take 6-8 weeks for the bruising around the temporal nerve to go away.

A repeat hearing test and follow-up with Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) clinic may be required after you have healed.

Who to Call

ENT Clinic

(608) 263-6190

After hours, nights, weekends and holidays, call UW Hospital Paging at

608-262-0486. Ask for the resident on call for your clinic. Leave your name and phone number with area code. The doctor will call you back.

The toll-free number is (800) 323-8942. Ask for your clinic.