| Hearing problems often occur as a result of traumatic | | | | hearing complaints as well as people without head |
| brain injury (TBI) accidents. If there is blunt trauma to | | | | injuries. A German study found that for individuals with |
| the skull, the inner ear can be affected, especially | | | | concussions had hearing problems years after the |
| tinnitus, which is a ringing in the ears. Hearing loss or | | | | trauma occurred. |
| hearing damage can occur anywhere from weeks to | | | | Brain Injury-Related Hearing Loss Takes Toll on |
| years after TBI happens. | | | | Everyday Life |
| Ear Structure and Traumatic Brain Injury | | | | Because hearing loss limits or takes away one of the |
| Damage to the ear itself during a traumatic brain injury | | | | primary tools humans use to communicate, it has the |
| can cause hearing problems. The inner ear is made of | | | | potential to complicate many of the other side effects |
| a series of small and delicate membranes and body | | | | of brain damage, particularly cognitive and social |
| parts, which can rupture during head trauma. The | | | | problems. For some TBI victims, cognitive issues, such |
| cochlea, an important spiral-shaped bone inside the ear, | | | | as trouble "finding words," already interfere with their |
| may be concussed by a strong blow, causing hearing | | | | ability to communicate. And inappropriate behaviors are |
| damage when supporting membranes are torn; | | | | only exacerbated if the patient genuinely cannot hear |
| patients with cochlear concussions often develop | | | | what is going on. |
| vertigo as well. Perilymphatic fistula is another | | | | If You Suffer From TBI-Related Hearing Problems |
| membrane that can be damaged causing not only | | | | Some hearing problems disappear a few weeks after |
| hearing loss but nausea and vertigo are symptoms of | | | | the accident that led to the patient's brain damage, but |
| this as well. Surgery may help to correct this type of | | | | others are lifelong afflictions. Some patients may not |
| damage. | | | | even notice their hearing problems until they are |
| Doctors agree that damage to the central nervous | | | | diagnosed by a doctor or audiologist. It is advised by |
| system also plays a major role in TBI-related hearing | | | | the National Institues of Health that individuals with brain |
| problems, especially those with a cognitive basis. | | | | injury contact an audiologist whether they are |
| Among many others, a 2005 study by doctors at | | | | complaining of hearing loss or hearing probelms. You |
| Haifa University in Israel showed that TBI patients who | | | | may also wish to contact an experienced TBI attorney |
| complained of hearing problems (including tinnitus) had | | | | to evaluate your potential brain injury lawsuit and help |
| significantly reduced function in a part of the brain that | | | | you secure compensation for your injuries. |
| regulates hearing, compared to TBI patients without | | | | |