BBC: Chinese girl gets 'kiss of deaf'
A young Chinese woman was left partially deaf following a passionate kiss from her boyfriend.
The 20-something from Zhuhai in Guangdong province arrived at hospital having completely lost the hearing in her left ear, said local reports.
The incident prompted a series of articles in the local media warning of the dangers of excessive kissing.
"While kissing is normally very safe, doctors advise people to proceed with caution," wrote the China Daily.
The doctor who treated the girl in hospital was quoted in the paper explaining what had happened.
"The kiss reduced the pressure in the mouth, pulled the eardrum out and caused the breakdown of the ear."
The 20-something from Zhuhai in Guangdong province arrived at hospital having completely lost the hearing in her left ear, said local reports.
The incident prompted a series of articles in the local media warning of the dangers of excessive kissing.
"While kissing is normally very safe, doctors advise people to proceed with caution," wrote the China Daily.
The doctor who treated the girl in hospital was quoted in the paper explaining what had happened.
"The kiss reduced the pressure in the mouth, pulled the eardrum out and caused the breakdown of the ear."
The chorus of warnings was echoed by the Shanghai Daily, which wrote: "A strong kiss may cause an imbalance in the air pressure between two inner ears and lead to a broken ear drum."
The young woman is expected to regain her full hearing within about two months.
The young woman is expected to regain her full hearing within about two months.
Hmmm... Can't wait to see the PSAs on this one.
I'm surprised the nuns didn't tell us about this. They did explain to us that a kiss should not last longer than a "Hail Mary."
Posted by: Rob | Dec 13, 2008 at 06:26 PM
What???? Speak up please...I have this rather embarrassing hearing problem...
Posted by: vanskaamper | Dec 13, 2008 at 08:17 PM
I'd speak up but my jaw is out alignment.
Posted by: Michael W. Kruse | Dec 14, 2008 at 08:51 AM
"While kissing is normally very safe, doctors advise people to proceed with caution," wrote the China Daily.
The Communists take the fun out of everything. You haven't lived until you've thrown caution to the wind while kissing...which I'm guessing is the explanation for your jaw problem, Michael...
Posted by: vanskaamper | Dec 15, 2008 at 03:19 PM