what would you do in this situation...

[Warp Spider]

Getting your ears boxed kind of hurts, but I highly doubt it would deafen a person. I don't believe that the disorientation is due to any pressure differential, the air will escape because the hands aren't going to make a perfect seal against your ears. I highly suspect that the disorientation and discomfort is instead due to having just been punched in the head twice simultaneously.

[JerryLove]

Medical Sites:

The eardrum may be ruptured due to trauma, such as a sharp blow to the external ear.

- http://health.discovery.com/diseasesandcond/encyclopedia/2344.html

The most common causes of a ruptured eardrum are:

 

• An object inserted into the ear such as a cotton swab or bobby pin

 

• A forceful blow to the ear

 

...

http://www.acenta.com/ent.rupturedeardrum.asp

Ear infection and injury to the side of the head or ear are the most common causes. Other causes include:

 

* a blow to the ear

- http://www.utmbhealthcare.org/hil/EARN4456.asp?header=

 

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=ruptured+eardrum+blow

 

examples of it happening in a fight:

The punch ruptured Micky’s eardrum, throwing his equilibrium off for the remainder of the fight.

- http://www.rossboxing.com/articles/article193.htm

That time came earlier than expected with the fight ending disappointingly after Leija refused to answer the bell for the seventh round, citing a ruptured eardrum.

- http://www.boxinginsider.net/columns/stories/45232511.php

Assistant District Attorney Steve Sloan called on inmate Curtis Easley to testify about the broken nose and ruptured eardrum he suffered in a fight with Williams

- http://www.centredaily.com/mld/dailytimes/2003/06/05/news/6019143.htm

 

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&safe=off&q=ruptured+eardrum+fight

[Martial_Artist]

Again, note: *DO NOT TRY TO EARBOX YOUR FRIEND TO SEE WHAT IT FEELS LIKE* *It can hurt*

[Shorin Ryuu]

Box the ears? You haven't heard of this before? It's an old technique and not necessarily a traditional "martial arts" move. Simply clap your hands over their ears. *Note: DO NOT TRY THIS FOR PRACTICE.* *It can hurt.*

 

I've seen this move taught in many traditional martial arts circles. It isn't like it is a brand new thing...

[ValeTudo]

All of the examples Jerry Love cited talk about punching the ears.

 

So my question is, why box the ears?? Just punch the crap out of them. Given the angle you'd be hitting with, you can get a lot more leverage to hit hard w/ a punch, than with boxing the ears.

 

So why box them?

[JerryLove]

Generally because it's easier... but do whichever makes you more happy. I would expect the open hand to be faar more likely to get the ruptured eardrum effect.

[ValeTudo]

Generally because it's easier... but do whichever makes you more happy. I would expect the open hand to be faar more likely to get the ruptured eardrum effect.

 

Why?

 

The examples you cited (besides the prison one which doesn't identify a particular strike) took place during boxing matches.

 

That means that punches were the cause of those impacts. I think it would be FAR easier to punch someone in the ear than it would be to simultaneously slap both ears while keeping your hands air-tight.

 

Do you have any examples of open hand strikes doing this kind of damage? Why do you think an open hand strike would be far more likely to get the effect?

 

The evidence, thus far, says otherwise.

[JerryLove]

The examples you cited (besides the prison one which doesn't identify a particular strike) took place during boxing matches.

 

This is because the events and injuries in boxing matches are more widely recorded than the details of other fights.

That means that punches were the cause of those impacts. I think it would be FAR easier to punch someone in the ear than it would be to simultaneously slap both ears while keeping your hands air-tight.

 

One need not get both ears... so the question becomes "which will get closer to a seal, a fist or a palm"... I think that's self-evident.

 

Further, a boxer's punch is helped by the glove itself; which in this case gives a large, smooth surface with which to form a seal.

Do you have any examples of open hand strikes doing this kind of damage? Why do you think an open hand strike would be far more likely to get the effect?

Some on-point medical sites:

 

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&safe=off&q=rupture+eardrum+open+hand&spell=1

 

Unlike a closed fist, an open hand usually produces an air pocket with the ear canal, causing pressure against the eardrum that can actually rupture it inward. - http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/texts/guide/hmg31_0005.html

 

The causes of perforated eardrum are usually from trauma or infection. A perforated eardrum can occur:

 

If the ear is struck squarely with an open hand - - http://www.entassociates.com/perforation.htm

 

I don't have a particular instance I can point to.. as I mentioned, the details of non-competative figths are seldom recorded... but medical consensus is clear.

[ValeTudo]

Well that evidence is certainly much more convincing! Sounds good.

[CodyydoC]

if ur sparring with a friend and u want to keep this friend dont hit the ears

 

and the position i have in my head for that first question would seem like he/she is tryin to tickle u, which isnt a very good position to be in in a real fight or bout