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What Should I Do If I Have Tinnitus After a Car Accident?

Getting into a car accident is a traumatic experience and any injuries sustained from the accident should be taken seriously. Injuries may not always be obvious. Car accidents can result in internal damages, such as brain bleeds, organ injuries, internal bleeding, fractured ribs, kidney damage, and even tinnitus.

These types of injuries normally result from the deployment of the airbag during an accident. An airbag’s main purpose is to protect a person from the impact of an accident; however, during the airbag’s deployment, the sound involved can be so loud that it damages the eardrums. When an airbag erupts, the sound can be greater than 170 decibels, which is louder than a shotgun blast. This sound level may cause severe damage to a person’s ears.

Tinnitus is commonly known as the ringing or rushing sound in one’s ears. On rare occasions, tinnitus can cause bleeding from the ear to occur. This condition is common among car accident victims and should be handled with therapy from a qualified audiologist. Tinnitus may seem like just an annoying situation to deal with, but it can affect one’s hearing for the rest of their life. After a car accident, always seek medical attention and never underestimate an injury.

What Should I Do After an Accident?

After a car accident, there are a few steps one needs to take. The first thing one should do is call the police and ensure that emergency protocols are taken. If anyone is hurt, it is especially important to seek emergency help right away. It is always a good idea to get a health screening and document all paperwork for a judge to have in case the personal injury suit goes to court.

One will also want to file an insurance claim and let them know the details of what happened. Insurance claims can take a while to process, so the sooner one files a claim, the better. This will help one receive money if there is property damage that needs to be fixed. Taking proper steps after an accident will help a victim receive compensation from the other party involved. These steps will also help a car accident lawyer determine the compensation required based on physical and mental damages.

What is Tinnitus?

After being in a noisy environment, such as a construction zone, the loud sounds may cause a ringing sensation in one’s ears. This ringing noise normally disappears within a short period of time, but some people may never be relieved of the noise. Tinnitus is the most common side effect of a car accident and can appear either immediately or several weeks after the incident. It is known as a non-auditory sound that can be heard in one or both ears and is one of the most common car accident injuries.

The sound produces a ringing, buzzing, clicking, or pulsing noise that is caused by damage to the inner ear. These sounds can be soft or loud and can come and go randomly. Tinnitus may also cause permanent hearing loss or balance issues. Only the individual with tinnitus can hear the noise as it is subjective to the individual.

Different Types of Tinnitus

There are three types of tinnitus, including:

  • Subjective Tinnitus: The most common and typical form of the condition where sound is only heard by the affected person.
  • Objective Tinnitus: This type can be heard by the affected person and others.
  • Pulsating Tinnitus: This type is caused by variations in blood pressure in the ear. The individual typically hears a pulsing, rhythmic sound that beats with one’s pulse.

What Causes Tinnitus?

Tinnitus can result from a neck or head injury, excessive noise exposure, or from an ear infection. Other causes of tinnitus include:

  • Noise-related trauma, such as explosions, fireworks, and gunshots
  • Whiplash from a car accident or from an amusement park ride
  • Skull fractures
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Other emotional issues and trauma
  • Depression cannot cause tinnitus, but it may be a side effect from the condition

If tinnitus results from a neck or head injury, it will most likely only affect one ear. Tinnitus may not seem like a big deal, but for many people, it can be permanent and life-altering. The sounds can be debilitating and cause further issues to develop.

How is Tinnitus Treated?

Tinnitus has a stronger likelihood of improvement if one participates in sound therapy. Sound therapy can help treat this condition by amplifying other sounds to divert attention from the ringing sound. Sound therapy cannot cure the ringing, but a therapist can teach patients ways to deal with the noise. Unfortunately, tinnitus can cause partial to full hearing loss or a constant ringing in one or both ears. This constant ringing can cause many other issues, such as depression or frustration, due to not being able to enjoy quiet activities, such as reading.

There are medications that help relieve the noise but none that can fully heal the ears. These medications may cause severe side effects, such as blurred vision, heart problems, anxiety, and nausea. Another option for suppressing tinnitus is noise machines or masking devices that help suppress symptoms. Unfortunately, white noise machines cannot be used at all times, and masking devices can be very uncomfortable.

Can I Receive Compensation for Tinnitus?

A victim who developed tinnitus from a car accident may be entitled to financial compensation if the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence. Tinnitus is like every other injury and should be taken seriously. To receive compensation, a victim will need to prove they have the condition, that it was caused by a car accident, and that the other person involved caused the accident due to their negligence.

Tinnitus can be difficult to prove, and the other party may argue that it was not caused by the car accident. This is why medical records are important, as well as having a lawyer on your side. Any health screenings and doctor appointments should also be documented. Tinnitus cases can be very complicated and impact one’s life tremendously, and this condition needs to be properly handled and treated in an efficient manner.

Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC Advocate for Car Accident Victims Suffering from Tinnitus

If you were involved in a car accident and developed tinnitus as a result, contact one of our Philadelphia car accident lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC. Our experienced legal team helps victims recover compensation for tinnitus. For a free consultation, complete our online form or call us at 215-569-8488. Located in Philadelphia, Abington, and Media, Pennsylvania; Wilmington, Delaware; and Haddonfield, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout the surrounding areas.