Hearing loss due to a collision happens more often than you might think. It is a valid car crash injury that should not be ignored. Getting treatment as quickly as possible is critical to help avoid permanent hearing loss. Learn about the types of car crash injuries that can result in hearing damages. If a negligent driver is responsible for the car crash and the subsequent damage to your hearing, we are prepared to help.

The Silver Spring car accident lawyers with Goldberg Finnegan have recovered more than $130 million in compensation for our clients. We have helped injured victims for decades and we are prepared to go to work for you pursuing the maximum possible compensation.

How Does a Car Crash Cause Hearing Loss?

Although car crash hearing loss can be caused by a combination of factors, it often is a secondary injury resulting from:

Head Trauma

Many drivers and passengers sustain head injuries, such as a concussion or traumatic brain injury, during a car crash. These injuries may occur when a victim’s head strikes a hard object within the car, such as the steering wheel or windshield. The force of impact can be enough to cause one or more of the following injuries:

  • Damage to inner ear tissue, membranes or hair cells
  • One or more ruptured eardrums
  • Small bone injuries in the middle ear
  • Disruption of flow to the cochlea
  • Severe skull fractures which may cause broken bones to pierce your ear canal – these are serious injuries that can cause permanent deafness if not diagnosed and surgically repaired immediately

Whiplash

Whiplash, caused by a violent thrusting of the head and neck in a back-and-forth whip-like motion, is a common car crash injury. Depending on the impact of the accident, whiplash can be severe enough to cause inner ear damage. A whiplash injury can also result in temporomandibular disorder (TMJ), along with hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and vertigo.

Airbag Deployment

When airbags deploy, they generate loud pressure sounds that register at about 150-170 decibels. Studies have shown that a single exposure to a pressure sound at 140 decibels is enough to cause some permanent hearing loss. Accident victims could also experience temporary or permanent hearing loss in one or both ears.

Symptoms of Hearing Loss Following a Car Crash

Victims who suffer hearing loss due to a car crash may experience one or more of these symptoms in one or both ears:

  • Muffled hearing
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  • Balance difficulties, accompanied by dizziness or nausea
  • Pressure or fullness
  • Itching or burning in the ears
  • Difficulty distinguishing voices; muffled hearing

If you are experiencing these symptoms after a car crash, you should seek medical care immediately. Your medical doctor may refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist (otolaryngologist) for a more specialized diagnosis. Getting treated sooner can improve your chances for an optimum recovery.

Establishing Proof of Hearing Loss for a Claim

Your attorney must prove the damages were caused by the crash and the crash was entirely caused by another’s negligence.

There are several things that need to happen for you and your attorney to be able to show your hearing loss was caused by the crash, including:

  • Get immediate medical attention.
  • Describe the symptoms affecting your hearing in detail to the doctor who examines you.
  • Tell your treating physician if you had any prior hearing issues before the accident.
  • Describe the noise levels you are exposed to daily, such as your neighborhood, home life, entertainment and job.

Your physician will note your symptoms and how the injury occurred. If you had prior hearing loss, it is important to tell your doctor and your attorney. Describe what your hearing was like before the accident and how it is different to what you are experiencing after the crash. These details will get added to your medical records and doctor’s notes.

Not Sure if You Have a Claim? Call Our Law Firm for a Free Case Review Today

Our team of legal professionals is standing by to speak with you 24/7. We encourage you to contact our law firm as soon as possible to schedule your free consultation. Find out if you have a valid case and whether you may be eligible to seek compensation for the damages you sustained.

We are ready to guide you throughout the legal process and help you to gather the evidence you need to support your claim. Your consultation is free and completely confidential, with no obligation to move forward. If we find that you are eligible to seek compensation and you choose to file a claim, you can use our services for no upfront costs. We do not collect our attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.