{"id":659,"date":"2022-10-21T20:00:30","date_gmt":"2022-10-22T00:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gulfcoastaudiology.com\/?p=659"},"modified":"2022-10-27T20:03:04","modified_gmt":"2022-10-28T00:03:04","slug":"can-car-accidents-lead-to-hearing-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gulfcoastaudiology.com\/can-car-accidents-lead-to-hearing-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Car Accidents Lead to Hearing Loss?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You may know that the most common causes of hearing loss<\/a> are advancing age and noise exposure. But did you know that getting in a car accident can also lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss? We review the connection below.<\/p>\n

Car Accident Injuries That Can Cause Hearing Loss\"Road<\/h2>\n

Some injuries that can cause hearing loss include:<\/p>\n

Head Trauma<\/h3>\n

If you hit your head on the window, steering wheel or any other part of your vehicle, it can result in a traumatic brain injury (TBI). This can also cause a ruptured eardrum, damage to the tiny bones within the middle ear, damage to the structures within the inner ear or disruption of blood flow to the cochlea. All these types of damage can result in hearing loss.<\/p>\n

Whiplash<\/h3>\n

Whiplash and other direct blunt neck trauma can also cause hearing loss. In one study<\/a>, 83 patients reported hearing impairment following blunt neck trauma. In addition, 46 subjects reported tinnitus (ringing in the ears). This is because whiplash can also damage inner ear structures and cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, which is associated with hearing loss, tinnitus and vertigo.<\/p>\n

Airbag Deployment<\/h3>\n

Any sound over 140 decibels (dB) can cause permanent hearing loss<\/a>, even with a single, rapid exposure. According to Hearing Health Matters<\/a>, the front airbag can produce sound as loud as 160 dB, dual airbag deployments can reach 170 dB and side airbags in some vehicles exceed 178 dB. This can cause permanent sensorineural hearing loss.<\/p>\n

Symptoms of Hearing Loss Following a Car Accident<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019ve been in a car accident, pay attention to see if you experience the following symptoms:<\/p>\n