ABSTRACT
CASE STUDY 10: A lady hearing-aid user attended hospital to have an impression taken prior to the making of a new mould for her hearing aid. On removal of the impression material from the ear canal she experienced pain, pressure, dizziness and loss of balance. It was subsequently confirmed by the specialist that she had sustained a perforated eardrum. She developed severe vertigo and, two days after the injury, lost balance and fell, breaking a small bone in her foot. She alleged that the technician had failed to use an otostop tampon properly or at all, and claimed compensation for pain, vertigo, nausea, temporary deafness and injury to her lower limb. Liability was initially admitted, but it was denied that the vertigo had occurred and responsibility for the limb injury was also denied. Finally, the case was settled by the defendants for £5,169.
