Instructions for a Self-Defense Ear Clap or Thunderclap Strike

This page provides details on how to do an "Ear Clap". This martial arts self-defense technique involves striking the ears on an attacker in order to force them to release you. This strike is also known as a Thunderclap Strike, Cupped Ear Blow, Thunder Palm Fist, etc. To learn more about the underlying anatomy of this vital point strike, please visit the main Ear section.

For more information and videos on a wide variety of punches & strikes, please visit the main Punches & Strikes section.

Details for this Strike

• Start by making a knife hand and cupping your hand slightly.
• Then strike your attacker by slapping your hands together against their ears.
  • When throwing both hands together it may be preferential and quicker shoot the hands forward about 6 or so inches away from the ears
  • And then proceed with the ear clap
  • This will be less devastating but a quicker stun
• The arm can also be swung in a larger arch similar to a hook punch
  • In this situation it would be preferential to throw only one hand that way you are not left open to an attack
  • This strike will do more damage but could more easily be seen by the opponent

Damage to the ear: These two similar strikes are likely to result in either a rupturing of the tympanic membrane (the ear drum) or an ossicular chain dislocation.

• The average person can punch with a around 25 to 80 psi however it only takes about 14 psi to rupture the ear drum.
  • Seeing as how this is a slapping like motion the average would drop a bit but due to the shape of the hand this strike both conveys the kinetics of the strike as well as a pressure wave forced into the ear.
  • Thus even for a weak person it is fairly easy to inflict damage to the ear.
  • If the ear drum is ruptured sounds are muffled, ringing noises occur, and infection is a likely possibility. If the rupture isnt too bad the ear drum can heal within a few months.
• An ossicular chain dislocation is likely to occur from an improper strike of this sort which doesnt create enough pressure to rupture the ear drum but dislocates the bones of the middle ear from impact.
  • This can result in about 60 dB of hearing loss which is the equivalent of hearing a train whistle as if it were a whisper.
  • Depending on the dislocation between the three bones success rate of healing is moderate but medical and surgical attention is required.

Note: Use extreme caution when practicing with a partner (use partner primarily for the motion) and practice this technique on a B.O.B. dummy.

References

1. Old School Martial Arts Academy, Te Waza, http://www.osmartialarts.com/te-waza.html, Added - 05/08/14
2. Pressure to Rupture an Eardrum, Glenn Elert, http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2007/ShemikaWhite.shtml, Added - 10/11/15
3. Bayer College of Medicine "Head and Neck Surgery", https://www.bcm.edu/healthcare/care-centers/otolaryngology/conditions/ossicular-chain-dislocation, https://www.bcm.edu/healthcare/care-centers/otolaryngology/conditions/tympanic-membrane-perforation, Added - 10/11/15