If somebody told you that they’d been involved in a car crash, the last injury you’d probably expect them to have suffered would be tinnitus (ringing in the ears). However, it is possible to get tinnitus after a car accident due to the loud noises involved and, sometimes, a blow to the head.
Tinnitus is a condition that can lead to humming, throbbing, hissing and ringing in the ears (amongst other things). For some, tinnitus is present all day, every day whilst, for others, it can come and go. In many cases, tinnitus can become very distracting and make it hard to concentrate on other things.
In some cases, if you’ve been diagnosed with tinnitus after a car accident, you may have grounds to claim compensation for the suffering caused.
What Is Tinnitus (Ringing In The Ears)?
Tinnitus is a condition which causes the injured party to hear ringing in the ears (and other noises). The different sounds that can be caused by tinnitus can include hissing, whistling, thumping (in tune with their pulse), throbbing and even music.
While those sounds are not actually present, they are a real sensation for the person affected. Usually, tinnitus is caused when hairs in the ears are damaged over prolonged periods e.g., due to exposure to loud noises in the workplace. However, tinnitus can also be caused by head and neck injuries and neurological disorders which, in some cases could be linked to a traumatic accident such as a car crash.
The impact of tinnitus can vary massively from person to person. Some will only find it mildly annoying as they’ll only hear ringing in their ears if they are sat in complete silence. However, for some, tinnitus can be overwhelming and cause more serious symptoms like sleep disorders, depression and anxiety.
Tinnitus cannot be cured, per se, but some treatments such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), sound therapy and medication can help. In some cases, tinnitus symptoms can also disappear if the underlying cause is removed.
How Do Car Accidents Cause Ringing In The Ears?
You might be wondering how can you sustain tinnitus after a car accident. Well, here are some possible explanations:
Head And Neck Injuries
One potential cause of tinnitus after a car accident is whiplash and other neck injuries. Whiplash is an injury that can result from sudden jerking movements of the head during a collision. These movements can damage or strain the muscles and nerves in the neck, which in turn, can affect your hearing because of disruption of blood flow to the inner ear or damage to the nerves that transmit sound signals.
Additionally, some spinal injuries can impact the vestibulocochlear nerve which plays a key role in both hearing and balance, potentially leading to tinnitus.
Loud Noise From Airbag Deployment
The impact noise generated by airbag deployment can also contribute to hearing damage. This is due to the rapid expansion of gas used to inflate the airbag, which often reaches sound levels over 160 decibels. A single exposure to such intense noise can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss, and tinnitus may also be a potential side effect.
In many cases, ringing in the ears can continue after a car accident even after the noise of airbag deployment has subsided.
Concussions And Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Concussions or traumatic brain injuries sustained during a car accident can also lead to tinnitus. TBIs can affect the brain’s ability to process noises and cause damage to the inner ear. Concussions (minor brain injuries) can also have tinnitus as a side effect.
Psychological Trauma And Stress
The intense stress and emotional trauma following a car crash can sometimes trigger or worsen tinnitus. This is due to the body’s heightened response to stress, which can make individuals more sensitive to sounds or even lead to phantom sounds like ringing.
Of course, if you believe you are suffering from tinnitus following a car crash, you should seek medical advice from a doctor or hearing specialist.
Symptoms Of Tinnitus After A Car Accident
So, as discussed already, tinnitus can cause phantom noises including ringing in the ears. Importantly, you can suffer from tinnitus in one ear as well as in both.
The full list of noises caused by tinnitus according to the NHS includes:
- Ringing.
- Whooshing.
- Music or singing.
- Throbbing.
- Buzzing.
- Humming.
- Hissing.
Importantly, some people who suffer tinnitus can suffer other symptoms such as dizziness, hearing loss, anxiety and depression.
Should I Seek Medical Advice For Ringing In The Ears?
The NHS advises that you should speak to a doctor if:
- You have constant (or regular tinnitus).
- The symptoms are worsening.
- Your tinnitus affects your sleep and concentration or is worrying you in other ways.
There is no doubt that tinnitus can be a very worrying and distracting condition. If it has been sustained after a car accident, you may therefore decide to seek compensation for your suffering. This is something we’ll discuss in further detail shortly.
Treatment Options For Tinnitus
As mentioned earlier, tinnitus cannot be cured in most cases (unless there is a treatable underlying cause). However, hearing specialists and doctors can prescribe any of the following to help:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) so that you can make changes to the way you think about tinnitus and how you deal with its symptoms.
- Tinnitus retraining therapy so that your brain tunes out when hearing tinnitus noises so that you are less aware of them.
- Tinnitus counselling where you’ll find out more about tinnitus and be offered advice on strategies to deal with it.
While some of these treatment options might be available on the NHS, that’s not always the case. That’s why, if your tinnitus is linked to a car accident caused by somebody else, you could claim back the cost of private medical treatment if you make a successful compensation claim.
Can I Claim Compensation For Tinnitus After A Car Accident?
If you are hurt in a car crash, you might be able to claim tinnitus compensation if:
- The other party owed you a duty of care; and
- They caused the accident because of an act of negligence e.g., speeding, drink-driving or using their mobile phone; and
- You have been diagnosed with tinnitus as a result of the accident.
To check if you have a viable claim, it’s a good idea to speak to a specialist car accident solicitor about your options. Many (including our team) offer a free initial consultation before any legal action begins.
Conclusion
Tinnitus can be a very distracting, worrying and depressing condition. It can, in some cases, be caused by head injuries sustained in a car crash or exposure to loud noises.
If you are suffering from ringing in your ears following a car accident and believe another party is to blame, we could help you claim compensation. To find out more, please call 0800 6524 881 today.
Importantly, when claiming for tinnitus after a car accident, our solicitors provide a No Win No Fee service for all cases they work on.