Car crashes can cause hearing loss, a serious injury that many people overlook after a collision. Even minor damage to your hearing could develop into a lasting medical condition. However, because hearing loss is not always immediately evident to people, they often fail to realize that they have suffered the injury.
To protect your hearing after an auto collision, you should understand the common causes of hearing injuries in crashes and the signs of hearing damage. To protect your legal rights, consult an experienced car accident lawyer in Virginia as soon as possible after the crash.
What Are Possible Causes of Hearing Loss after a Car Accident?
Hearing loss may not be the first thing that comes to mind after a crash. However, several accident-related injuries can damage the ear and surrounding structures. Common causes of hearing loss in a car accident include:
- Whiplash – This type of neck injury occurs when the head and neck suddenly jolt back and forth in a collision, straining muscles, ligaments, and nerves. The violent, abrupt movement can affect the inner ear, which controls balance and hearing. The whiplash force may disrupt blood flow to the auditory system or damage delicate structures inside the ear, leading to tinnitus, dizziness, or hearing loss.
- Head injuries – Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common, severe injury that people suffer in auto accidents. Even if you don’t hit your head in a crash, you can still suffer TBI from your brain bouncing around inside your skull as a result of the impact. Because the brain processes sound, a significant injury can disrupt how it communicates with the ear. TBI may cause hearing loss in one or both ears, persistent tinnitus, or balance issues.
- Eardrum or middle ear damage – Trauma to the ear from flying debris, side impacts, or loud noises can cause a ruptured eardrum. This type of injury may result in pain, fluid leakage from the ear, and temporary or permanent hearing loss. Damage to the middle ear bones, which transmit sound vibrations, can also interfere with hearing clarity.
- Airbags – These vehicle safety features can save lives, but they can also be loud when deploying. The sound can be noisier than a gunshot, which could rupture an eardrum or damage hair cells in the ear, affecting hearing.
How Could Your Injuries in a Car Accident Impact Your Hearing?
The consequences of ear or head trauma in a car crash can vary depending on the severity of the collision. Some common hearing-related effects include:
- Tinnitus – A constant ringing, buzzing, or humming sound that isn’t from an external source. Tinnitus is one of the most common complaints after car accidents.
- Dizziness/vertigo – Inner ear damage can disrupt balance, leaving accident victims feeling lightheaded or giving the sensation that the room is spinning. Nausea is also a common symptom of vertigo.
- Pressure – A sensation of fullness or pressure in the ears, similar to what you feel during a change in altitude, is not uncommon.
- Sensitivity – Everyday sounds may feel uncomfortably loud, impacting work, socializing, and daily life.
What Are Signs of Damage to Your Hearing?
Hearing loss can develop gradually. So, you should watch for warning signs in the days and weeks after an auto accident. Symptoms of hearing damage include:
- Trouble understanding conversations, especially in noisy places
- Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
- Needing to turn up the TV or radio louder than usual
- Ringing, buzzing, or other unusual sounds in one or both ears
- Feeling off-balance, dizzy, lightheaded, or nauseous
- Ear pain or fluid leakage
You should promptly seek medical attention if you notice any of these symptoms. An early diagnosis can help with your treatment and prevent further damage.
What Should You Do If You Experience Hearing Loss After a Car Accident?
If you suspect your hearing has been affected by the accident, be sure to:
- See a doctor right away – An audiologist or ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist can conduct tests to measure the extent of your hearing loss and rule out other causes.
- Document your symptoms – Keep a journal detailing when the hearing problems began, how frequently they occur, and how they impact your daily life.
- Follow medical advice – Listening to your doctor’s advice can protect your health and legal rights. Treatments may include medications, surgery, hearing aids, vertigo treatment such as vestibular therapy or balance therapy, or therapy for tinnitus management.
- Preserve evidence – Keep an organized file of all medical records, test results, and bills. These documents will be critical if you pursue a car accident claim.
- Contact Marks & Harrison – An experienced car accident attorney at Marks & Harrison can assess your case to determine whether you have a valid personal injury claim. We are available 24/7 to discuss your case.
Is It Difficult to Prove Hearing Loss After a Car Accident?
Proving hearing loss in a car accident claim can be challenging. Unlike many other injuries, hearing problems are not visible. An auto insurance company may downplay the condition or argue it existed before the car accident.
Medical evidence will strengthen your case. Hearing tests, imaging scans, and specialist reports can provide proof of your condition. Documentation showing how the condition impacts your daily life can also be robust evidence.
Can You File a Lawsuit for Your Hearing Loss?
If someone else’s negligence caused your hearing loss in a car accident, you may have the right to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim. A settlement or judgment can provide compensation for the immediate costs and long-term consequences of your crash-related hearing damage.
The amount of compensation you could obtain in a hearing damage auto insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit depends on several factors, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Impact on daily life
Because hearing loss can be permanent, compensation in these cases can be significant. An experienced car accident lawyer can calculate your current and future losses and pursue appropriate compensation.
Contact a Virginia Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you’ve experienced hearing loss after a car accident, the team at Marks & Harrison can help. Our skilled car accident attorneys have been protecting the rights of injured Virginians for over a century, and we’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on their behalf. We understand how complicated and challenging hearing-related claims can be. We know what it takes to build a compelling case for the compensation our clients deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation about the specific facts of your car accident case.
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