Suffering from Hearing Loss after an Auto Accident
Hearing loss is typically thought of as a degenerative condition. People who have spent a lot of time in a loud environment, or those who are simply aging, may not be surprised to find their hearing deteriorating. However, hearing loss is not always gradual. Hearing loss can occur suddenly following a traumatic injury, such as that which may be suffered during an auto accident. Auto accidents are known to cause countless types of personal injury, and hearing loss may occur either as a result of one of those injuries, or due to the deployment of an air bag. When auto accidents result in hearing loss, the attorneys at our Daytona Beach, FL practice, Chanfrau & Chanfrau, can help accident victims fight for just compensation for damages suffered.
Why Hearing Loss May Occur after an Auto Accident
Hearing loss may not immediately come to mind when most people think of potential damages of an auto accident, but it is not as uncommon as a person might think. In fact, there are two key components of an auto accident that may result in hearing loss. The first is a blow or injury to the head, and the second is the deployment of an airbag.
- Hearing loss from a head injury: During an auto accident, it is possible that the head will slam into the steering wheel, windshield, or other part of the vehicle. This can lead to a head injury that may vary in severity. Whether injury is minor or major, the ear may be affected. Some ways in which head injuries may lead to hearing loss for accident victims include a dislocation or fracture of the middle ear bones, a fracture of the cochlea in the inner ear, a hole in the inner ear, a fracture of the temporal bone, or inner ear bleeding.
- Hearing loss from airbag deployment: Studies indicate that over 15% of drivers involved in an accident where an airbag is employed will suffer from some degree of permanent hearing loss. This is because, when an airbag explodes, it can create a sound pressure level that is greater than 170 decibels. This loud explosion can cause sudden, severe, and permanent hearing loss, as well as a disturbance of the equilibrium.
Whether due to a head injury or airbag deployment, an auto accident may result in muffled hearing and difficulty distinguishing voices, especially in a noisy environment. In addition, victims may experience an itchy, burning, or painful sensation in the ear, dizziness, or ringing in the ears.
Seeking Compensation for Damages
Hearing loss after an accident may be temporary, but in many cases, it is a permanent condition that requires surgery or long-term treatment (such as the use of hearing aids). In either case, the medical expenses of hearing loss can be profound. Add to that a potential loss of income or wage-earning potential, and financial losses are likely to be great. Our attorneys can fight to ensure that you are fairly compensated for any losses that may occur as a result of hearing loss after an auto accident.
Contact Us
If you have experienced hearing loss or have been otherwise injured as the result of an auto accident that was not your fault, and you would like to learn about your legal options, contact us at your earliest convenience to discuss the details of your case. Our attorneys at Chanfrau & Chanfrau look forward to working with you.