Well, consider that an air bag is basically a bomb going off in your face. And I'm pretty sure explosions from up close cause at least temporary hearing damage.

Well, consider that an air bag is basically a bomb going off in your face. And I'm pretty sure explosions from up close cause at least temporary hearing damage. > Deployment of a driver’s side front airbag will generate mean peak sound pressure levels of approximately 160 dB (decibels). > Studies have shown that the pain threshold from noise is about 140 dB and that a single exposure to sound pressure of this level can cause permanent, severe hearing loss. > The deployment of a side airbag generates a mean peak sound air pressure of 178 dB. So yeah ... a car crash will definitely mess with your hearing permanently. [1]http://hearinghealthmatters.org/hearinginternational/2012/the-international-threat-of-air-bags/ http://hearinghealthmatters.org/hearinginternational/2012/th...