Though hearing loss is not often associated with car accidents, it can and does occur after these kinds of incidents. This is because the head and neck are often areas that become injured in car accidents, and when the head or neck sustains trauma, it can result in ear damage.
While some people might only suffer temporary tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or hearing difficulties after an accident, it is possible for permanent damage to be sustained that can result in partial or total hearing loss.
For this reason, it is crucial for car accident victims to seek immediate medical attention after an accident. Even if your symptoms appear to be mild or are even non-existent initially, hearing loss can develop over time, which is why it is so critical to catch it as soon as possible to prevent permanent damage.
If you do sustain hearing loss after an accident, it is possible to sue the at-fault party. However, the success of your case will depend on the extent of the injury and being able to prove that the hearing loss has permanently altered your life. In other words, you have to be able to build a strong case to support your claim and prove that you have suffered from a catastrophic injury.
If you are suffering from hearing loss after a car accident, our Kentucky car accident attorneys can assist you. Proving that you have suffered permanent hearing damage that has drastically affected your life is not easy, but with the help of our attorneys, you are more likely to have success in winning your case. At McCoy & Sparks, we have years of experience helping car accident victims—including those suffering loss of hearing from a car accident—and are dedicated to helping our clients get the settlement they deserve.
Injuries That Can Cause Hearing Loss After a Car Accident
The inner ear is a delicate area that can easily become damaged from injuries that have impacted the surrounding areas, such as the head, jaw, and neck. In some cases, the injury sustained may result in tinnitus, which is a ringing in the ears. While this sounds minor compared to permanent hearing loss, tinnitus is serious and can be difficult to deal with.
Persistent tinnitus can make it hard to sleep and focus, which over time can lead to severe stress, tension, and even memory problems. In some cases, tinnitus can be a sign that there is something even more severe going on that can cause permanent damage and hearing loss if the injury is not treated right away. And even with immediate treatment, there may be no way to prevent hearing loss from occurring.
Of course, damage to the ears and hearing loss can happen in various ways, but if you are wondering—can a car accident cause hearing loss?—the answer is yes. Any situation where the head and neck are susceptible to an injury can result in partial or permanent hearing loss. Below are some of the more common injuries that happen in car accidents that can damage the ears and lead to loss of hearing:
- Traumatic brain injuries, which can damage the auditory pathways.
- Head trauma, which can result in damaged ear tissue and membranes, ruptured eardrums, broken bones in the middle ear, and other damage to the ear canal.
- Whiplash, which occurs from a violent back-and-forth motion of the neck, can also cause damage to the inner ear, especially if the jaw is affected.
- Neck and cervical spine injuries, which can cause damage to the eustachian tube (passage connecting the inner ear with the upper throat).
Signs and Symptoms of Potential Hearing Loss
The symptoms a person develops after sustaining ear damage can vary as it will depend on the individual and the exact injury they sustain. However, common symptoms to look out for that can indicate damage to the ear include:
- Ringing in the ears
- Earaches
- Inner ear pain
- Jaw pain that travels into the ears
- A feeling of pressure or fullness in the ears
- Sore and/or warm ears
- Itching or burning in the ears
- Vertigo or balance issues
- Dizziness and nausea
- Muffled sounds/diminished ability to hear
What to Do if You Suspect a Hearing Loss Injury After a Car Accident
If you suspect you have sustained an injury that may have damaged your ears after an accident, you should not delay seeking treatment. Though medical treatments for ear damage can be expensive, you will need proof of your injury to help you win your case. So no matter what symptoms you initially develop, one of the first things you should do after an accident is to seek immediate medical attention.
Beyond that, you should:
- Save all medical documents and receipts related to your hearing loss injury
- Keep track of your symptoms and how they are affecting your life by writing them down
- Be fully honest with your doctor about the hearing loss and any potential previous injuries that could be affecting it
When it comes time to file your claim or lawsuit, the goal is to have as much evidence as possible to support your claim and show that your life has been drastically altered by the hearing loss. You also want there to be no doubt that the car accident caused the hearing loss and that it is not being affected by a previous injury or anything else in your life.
Recovering Compensation for Hearing Loss After an Accident in Kentucky
Though a hearing loss after a car accident settlement can come from a lawsuit, you will initially have to file a claim to first recover damages through your own insurance. Kentucky is a no-fault state, which means all drivers are required to carry insurance that provides them with no-fault benefits should they be injured in an accident.
Your no-fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits will cover a portion of your damages, such as medical expenses and loss of wages. However, in cases where the injury is considered catastrophic, such as hearing loss, these benefits are often not enough to compensate the victim for their full amount of pain and suffering.
Thus, as long as you meet certain criteria and can prove that you have sustained a debilitating injury that has altered your life, you can file a lawsuit against the guilty party to recover further compensation in addition to the no-fault benefits. While you are not required to show proof of a serious impairment to file a lawsuit, it will help prove your case to ensure you get the full settlement you deserve.
Trust McCoy & Sparks—Premier Personal Injury Attorneys in Central Kentucky
If you have sustained a hearing loss injury and need help filing a claim or lawsuit, our team of experienced personal injury attorneys can help. Suffering partial or even permanent hearing loss after an accident is devastating, and you deserve to receive the highest settlement possible to compensate you for all that you have suffered.
Recognized as one of Central Kentucky’s best law firms for over a decade and counting, McCoy & Sparks works to help victims in need, representing thousands of clients in Central Kentucky with a focus on providing premium service and delivering superior results. Our goal is to develop a strategy that best serves your personal needs to help you reach the best possible result.
You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Make the right call to (844) 4KY-WINS for a risk-free consultation with one of our attorneys today.