Auto Accidents in Illinois Can Cause Full or Partial Hearing Loss 

 Posted on February 12, 2022 in Car Accidents

Our ears are complex organs that help us hear and keep our balance. Made up of many parts, the middle and inner ear are especially fragile and susceptible to damage that can impact our hearing and balance permanently. Auto accidents, in particular, are often the cause of major, long-term hearing loss.

The consequences of full or partial hearing loss can catastrophically impact your day-to-day life and make everyday activities like working, exercising, and even walking difficult or impossible. If you have recently been involved in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident in Illinois and you are experiencing ringing ears or hearing loss, meeting with a personal injury attorney may be a good idea.

Ear Trauma is Linked to Air Bag Deployment

When high-intensity sounds suddenly occur, our ears protect themselves by briefly contracting tiny muscles using something called the “stapedius reflex.” This reflex lowers the amount of sound that can access the middle ear, especially against loud noises at lower decibels.

Airbags must deploy explosively fast to keep a passenger’s head from hitting the steering wheel or the dashboard. Airbags are often highly effective at preventing life-threatening head trauma and are essential for passenger protection. But the sound that accompanies airbag deployment is commensurate with the speed and force of the airbag’s movement - that is to say, it is extremely loud - and it often causes damage to the fragile middle or inner ears.

Other common elements of auto accidents, such as whiplash and head impact, can also damage ears. A sudden back-and-forth or side-to-side movement can destroy the inner structure of the ears and cause chronic problems with the ears and facial nerves.

Common Symptoms of Post-Accident Ear Damage

Symptoms of ear damage may often be overlooked as other injuries initially take precedence. However, over the days, weeks, and months following a serious auto accident, ear injuries may begin to manifest more clearly. Common symptoms include: 

• Constant, high-pitched ringing

• Ear pain, itching, or burning 

• Headaches

• Muffled hearing

• Difficulty understanding voices 

• Dizziness or nausea

• A sense of pressure or fullness, similar to being on an airplane

These symptoms can make it very difficult to work, drive, socialize, or go out in public, causing permanent and debilitating changes to everyday life.

Call an Experienced Glen Ellyn Car Accident Lawyer

If you have experienced full or partial hearing loss because of a car accident for which someone else’s negligent action was responsible, consider meeting with a skilled Glen Ellyn car accident injuries attorney with Schwartz Injury Law. The impact of auto accidents can be serious and pursuing appropriate compensation may be able to help you manage your long-term medical costs. Call us today at 708-888-2160 to schedule a free case review.

Source: 

https://www-esv.nhtsa.dot.gov/Proceedings/26/26ESV-000028.pdf