Hearing Loss After a Car Accident
Hearing loss is a catastrophic injury that can occur as a result of a car accident. It can vary from mild tinnitus (ringing in the ears) to severe deafness. This injury is typically irreversible and will impact the accident victim for the remainder of his or her life. Hearing loss can significantly affect your work life or ability to perform daily tasks. As such, car accident victims with hearing loss from the accident will need the assistance of an experienced automobile accident attorney to champion their rights.
At Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, our car accident attorneys in Atlanta have represented thousands of accident victims with hearing loss or other catastrophic injuries. We understand the horrendous impact of these injuries and our compassionate attorney team fights for the recovery of each injured client. The following is a look at hearing loss and what you can do if you suffer this injury in an accident.
Common Causes of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is often associated with long-term assaults to the ears, such as work noises or loud music. However, any blow to the head that results in unconsciousness can also lead to hearing loss. Head trauma is one of the most common injuries to happen in a car accident, raising the serious possibility of related hearing loss.
The Inner Workings of Your Ear
The ear is comprised of parts—the outer, middle, and inner ear. The outer ear is responsible for capturing sound vibration and sending it to the middle ear, which contains the eardrum and three small bones called the hammer, anvil, and stirrup. The sound will cause the eardrum to vibrate, and these vibrations are carried to the inner ear. Within the inner ears lies the cochlea, which is snail-shaped and filled with fluid and tiny hair cells. It is these tiny hair cells that translate the vibrations and send signals to the brain to interpret the sound.
There are two main types of hearing loss- conductive and sensorineural. Conductive hearing loss stems from a mechanical issue within the external or middle ear while the sensorineural hearing loss is caused by a dysfunction within the inner ear. Conductive hearing loss can be reversible, while sensorineural hearing loss is not.
Your Ears in a Car Accident
In an accident, your ears could suffer an injury in several ways. First, the airbag will explode with a high sound pressure in a serious accident. The extremely loud noise created by the airbag can damage structures within the ear. Hearing loss can also occur from head trauma that can damage any portion of the ear and potentially lead to permanent deafness. Anyone who experiences hearing loss in a car accident should consult with a licensed lawyer for prompt legal assistance.
Put Our Law Firm's Over 39 Years of Legal Experience to Work For Your Case!
At Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, we have been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and in the Southeast for over 39 years, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state.
No matter where you are located, our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.