Head injuries, like concussions, cause some sweeping side effects: migraines, amnesia, fainting or loss of consciousness, vomiting, nausea and balance issues are the most well-known. What is less known, however, is that concussions can also affect hearing, causing noise sensitivity, tinnitus, difficulty understanding speech or temporary hearing loss.
How A Concussion Affects Hearing
There are two main ways a concussion can cause temporary hearing loss: damage to the ear or damage to the brain. If hearing loss is caused by damage to the ear, it’s called conductive hearing loss. If hearing loss is caused by damage to the neural structures that are associated with the auditory process, it’s called sensorineural hearing loss.
Both can occur simultaneously in the event of a brain injury.
Conductive Hearing Loss from a Concussion
Concussions can cause conductive hearing loss if the concussive blow happens on or around the ear. The force of the impact may fracture the bones or cause trauma to the organs in the ear. These injuries will impede the ear’s ability to gather sound information.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss from a Concussion
If the impact on the brain hits on or near the temporal lobe, where auditory processing takes place, hearing can be significantly affected. The injury will inhibit the brain’s ability to process sound information. When this happens, you may struggle to follow a conversation, especially in noisy environments, or your brain may incorrectly interpret sound as tinnitus.
What To Do if You’re Experiencing Hearing Difficulties After a Concussion
Concussions and head injuries are complex and have a lot of side effects. Recovering from a brain injury requires care and attention to all symptoms. Discuss all your side effects with your healthcare team, and they can help you determine the best course of treatment. Ask that they screen for hearing difficulties if they didn’t. Advocate for yourself and get the care you need.
If tinnitus or hearing loss persists or becomes unbearable, it is worth getting a hearing test to determine the extent of the damage to your hearing. Damage to the ear is permanent, but treatment is available. Contact Wilmington Audiology Services to learn more or schedule an appointment.