The "Kiss of Deaf": How One Kiss Left a Man with a Ruptured Eardrum

Photo byPexels.com

We often think of kissing as a sweet, harmless gesture of affection. But what if this intimate act could actually lead to something as alarming as hearing loss? While it may sound like a stretch, there are rare cases that suggest a passionate kiss could result in more than just a flutter in your heart—it could affect your ears too.

One incident occurred in China in 2023, where a man ruptured his eardrum after an intense 10-minute kiss with his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day. Doctors confirmed that the man’s eardrum had been perforated after being kissed on the ear, and he would need a couple of months to fully recover.

This isn’t an isolated case. Another similar event was reported just a month earlier, involving a couple in a different Chinese province. Back in 2012 in New York, a senior man in his 80s also experienced partial hearing loss when his granddaughter kissed him playfully on the ear. In 2008, a mom also lost her sense of hearing temporarily after being kissed on the ear by her baby.

Joe Fields, an 82-year-old jazz producer from New York, suffered hearing damage after his adult granddaughter kissed him on the ear in 2012.Photo byNBC News.

How Does Kissing the Ear Cause Hearing Loss?

At first glance, it’s hard to believe that something as innocent as kissing could lead to hearing damage. However, there’s a surprising science behind it.

According to medical experts, intense kissing on the ear can cause a rapid shift in air pressure within the ear. Combined with heavy breathing during moments of passion, this pressure imbalance can puncture the eardrum. This phenomenon is known as barotrauma—essentially, the delicate balance between the ear’s internal and external pressure is disturbed, sometimes resulting in injury.

The culprit in these cases is the Eustachian tube, which regulates air pressure inside the ear. During an intense kiss to the ear, particularly when suction is involved, the pressure inside the middle ear can drop. Meanwhile, the normal atmospheric pressure outside the ear remains the same, leading to an imbalance that can cause the eardrum to tear.

This injury, known as "cochlear ear-kiss injury," can result in permanent hearing loss or symptoms like ringing in the ears (tinnitus), sound sensitivity, and even distortion of sounds.

In healthy individuals, the eardrum is usually robust enough to withstand these shifts in pressure. But people with pre-existing ear conditions, such as scarring from a previous perforation, are at a higher risk. Individuals with a rare condition called patulous Eustachian tube, in which the tube remains open instead of closing as it should, are also more vulnerable to ear damage.

Are Children More at Risk?

Babies and young children are especially vulnerable due to their smaller ear canals. A simple kiss on a child’s ear, with their more sensitive ear structures, can cause more damage than it would for an adult. Parents should take extra care not to kiss or blow directly into their child’s ears, no matter how gentle the gesture may seem.

Can You Prevent Ear Damage While Kissing?

Though these cases are rare, they serve as a reminder to be cautious during intimate moments. Experts recommend avoiding kissing directly on the ears, and if you or your partner have a history of ear problems or previous perforations, it’s wise to be extra gentle during passionate moments. A seemingly simple gesture could have unexpected consequences if you’re not careful.

So while it may sound far-fetched, kissing can indeed be dangerous for your ears. Whether it’s a lingering kiss on the lips or a playful peck on the ear, it’s worth keeping the pressure light and steering clear of sensitive areas—especially the ears. Passion may be powerful, but protecting your hearing is priceless.