Tinnitus can also develop as a result of head trauma after a car accident. Those who sustain a traumatic brain injury or a concussion could also be at risk.
Most car accident injuries are immediately evident. Common car accident injuries include fractures and back and neck pain. However, symptoms of an injury are not always apparent and it may not be obvious that the condition is accident-related. One such condition that can result from a car accident injury is tinnitus.
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a condition in which the patient hears sounds in the ears, which can be described as constant ringing. Some people may hear sounds such as buzzing, hissing, whistling, or humming. The effects of tinnitus varies from one patient to the other. The ringing may come from one or both ears, can be continual or sporadic, and may worsen over time.
Causes of Tinnitus
Tinnitus is often caused by exposure to loud noise, middle ear problems, or certain medications. Chronic tinnitus symptoms can last longer than six months. However, in some cases, tinnitus can also develop as a result of head trauma after a car accident. Those who sustain a traumatic brain injury or a concussion could also be at risk. Even a minor head trauma can lead to tinnitus.
Treatment of Tinnitus
Tinnitus can be treated with a variety of treatments and therapies. When tinnitus is caused by head trauma in a car accident, the underlying injury is treated first. Tinnitus treatments include:
- electrical stimulation of the inner ear
- alternative therapies such as acupuncture or hyperbaric oxygen therapy
- sound therapy
- mindfulness-based stress reduction
- cognitive behavioral therapy
- hearing aids
- cochlear implants
- biofeedback
- drug therapy
- masking devices
St. Louis Auto Crash Attorney
Tinnitus can greatly disrupt a patient’s life. A car accident victim who develops tinnitus will have to recover medical expenses to get proper treatment and may pursue compensation through settlement for medical expenses, suffering, and reduction in quality of life. In order to recover compensation for tinnitus, you will have to prove that the onset of the condition is linked to injuries sustained in the accident. This is not always easy to prove. If you have been injured in a car accident caused by a reckless driver, talk to a St. Louis auto crash attorney to protect your legal rights. Call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242.