Post-Car Accident Tinnitus: Key Facts and Insights

If you have been involved in a car accident, you might be experiencing more than just physical injuries. One common but often overlooked condition is tinnitus, which presents as a constant ringing or buzzing in your ears. This unsettling noise can disrupt your daily activities and lead to increased stress levels.

Imagine having difficulty focusing, sleeping, or enjoying moments of peace due to the constant noise in your ears. If left untreated, tinnitus resulting from an accident can worsen and lead to additional complications, such as anxiety or depression. Moreover, navigating the legal and medical processes for compensation can be overwhelming and confusing.

At Montagna Law, our personal injury attorneys understand the pain you are experiencing and are here to provide you with important insights and information about tinnitus following a car accident. If you are dealing with this condition and wish to explore your legal options, call us today. We are here to assist you on your journey to recovery and guide you in seeking financial compensation for your injury.

What Does Post-Car Accident Tinnitus Mean?

If you begin to hear constant ringing sounds, humming, buzzing, or other sounds in your ears after experiencing a car accident, you may have tinnitus.

You feel like there is sound, but there is actually no corresponding sound in your surrounding environment. Some people only hear a slight sound, while others experience loud sounds.

Tinnitus can also manifest as a temporary or permanent condition that may or may not have a significant impact on their hearing.

What Causes Tinnitus After a Car Accident?

The impact of a car crash can lead an accident victim to suffer from tinnitus. Common causes of tinnitus include:

Loud Noise

Loud noises commonly occur during car accidents, such as metal crashing, airbag deployment, screeching tires, and people screaming. In some cases, these sounds are enough to trigger tinnitus. This is because the small bones located deep within the middle ear can suffer fractures or other damage as an accident happens.

Whiplash

Whiplash is a common type of car accident injury that occurs when the neck and head are shaken violently during the movement of a crash. Rear-end collisions often cause whiplash injuries. Tinnitus can be a symptom accompanying a whiplash injury, but it is common for it to be delayed.

Neck Injuries

Injuries to the neck or head can cause damage to the structure of an ear, harming the nerves responsible for carrying or processing sound signals to the brain and causing tinnitus.

Airbag Deployment

Airbags offer significant protection in accidents and do so by design, but they can, unfortunately, cause injury. When airbags deploy, they give off high-level decibel sounds on impact, which can lead to hearing loss or tinnitus. In some accidents, airbags may cause a victim to hit their head, causing injury, which can include tinnitus or other disruptions in the auditory system.

Concussions or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Rapid shaking or a blow to the head can cause a concussion or traumatic brain injury. In a car accident, this could mean striking the windshield, dashboard, or steering wheel. During this event, a victim would suffer damage to their brain cells or auditory pathway, causing tinnitus to occur.

Any kind of head trauma or stress can contribute to tinnitus symptoms. It is critical to seek medical attention right away, even if you feel fine or symptoms are mild. Sometimes, symptoms do not manifest immediately, so the earlier a diagnosis or treatment begins after a head injury, the better the chance of recovery.

What Are the Common Symptoms of Tinnitus After Car Accidents?

Tinnitus is not a one-size-fits-all kind of condition. The sounds, pitch, and tones may differ. Common symptoms include the following:

• Persistent ringing in the ears
• Ear pain or discomfort
• Partial or complete hearing loss
• Muffled hearing
• Auditory hallucinations such as buzzing, hissing, roaring, and clicking
• Frequent headaches
• Dizziness or balance troubles
• Difficulty with sleep
• Burning or itching in the ears
• Ear pressure
• Cognitive challenges, such as concentration and memory issues
• Emotional distress, including anxiety and depression
• Nasal congestion

If you experience any of the above symptoms after experiencing a car crash, see an audiologist or other ear specialist as soon as possible.

How Long Does Ringing in an Ear Last After a Car Accident?

Acute tinnitus following a car accident typically lasts three to six months, but this could vary from person to person. If it continues beyond six months, it is classified as chronic tinnitus.

Can Tinnitus Go Away on Its Own?

In some cases, minor tinnitus will go away on its own, but in more serious cases, treatment from a healthcare professional will be necessary, especially if a head and neck injury has occurred.

As time goes on, tinnitus can worsen or cause frustration. In some cases, a person with tinnitus can block out the sound or use strategies to mask it, but for others, it leads to sleep disruption and difficulty with concentration.

What Should I Do If I Experience Ringing in My Ears Following a Car Crash?

If you or a loved one suffer from ringing in the ears after a motor vehicle accident, take the following steps:

• Get immediate medical attention
• Get a referral to an otolaryngologist
• Early documentation
• Obtain legal advice from a personal injury attorney
• Do not sign any documents

How is Tinnitus After a Car Accident Diagnosed?

A medical provider will look at several factors when diagnosing tinnitus in a car accident victim.

• Medical history and symptom inquiry
• Physical examination (ears, head, neck, oral cavity, throat, nose, eyes, nervous system)
• Hearing test (audiogram)
• Imaging tests (MRI or CT scans if traumatic brain injury is suspected)

What Treatments Are Available for Tinnitus Resulting From a Car Accident?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for permanent tinnitus. For many people, the condition persists. Your doctor can help you explore solutions to help mask the ringing noises and minimize them. Medical professionals will often prescribe a variety of tinnitus treatments.

Sound Therapy

Sound therapy can help cover tinnitus sounds or provide a distraction from them. Examples of sound therapies include music, fans, and noise generators (including rain, ocean, white noise, pink noise, or brown noise, to name a few). Other forms of sound therapy include hearing aids, wearable sound generators, or smartphone apps.

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral therapy is designed to help people suffering from tinnitus learn coping techniques. Cognitive therapy helps people learn how to identify the negative thoughts causing worry and then changing your response to them. Retraining therapy involves counseling and sound therapy to “retrain” the brain to no longer register tinnitus effects.

Medications

Unfortunately, there are no medications to “cure” tinnitus, but doctors may offer prescriptions to help suppress anxiety, aid in sleep, or help with depression.

Can You Get Compensation for Tinnitus After a Car Accident?

Yes, car accident victims in Virginia can pursue compensation for tinnitus. The settlement or award from an accident case can help cover damages, including but not limited to: medical bills, lost wages, future loss of earnings, future medical treatments, pain and suffering, and mental anguish.

Compensation Available for Tinnitus After an Accident

As a car accident victim, you are eligible for both economic and non-economic damages. Factors considered will include:

• Whether your injury resulted in an impairment that affects your ability to lead your normal life
• Your current and future medical needs
• Your lawyer’s experience, track record, and reputation
• The at-fault driver’s liability insurance

Can I File A Lawsuit for Tinnitus Following a Car Accident?

Yes, you can file a personal injury lawsuit for tinnitus after a car accident. Much like other types of personal injuries, you will need to build a strong case. Working with an experienced personal injury attorney may be your best option.

Related Article: What to Expect in a Personal Injury Consultation

How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help Me If I Have Tinnitus After a Car Accident?

A personal injury lawyer is a good advocate to have in a post-car accident tinnitus case because they have the skills and experience to prove injury claims, such as demonstrating physical trauma.

Your attorney will collect all medical evidence, calculate medical expenses, assemble accident reports, gather video evidence, and track down and speak with eyewitnesses to the accident.

Once a case is assembled, your attorney will then identify the at-fault party, obtain proof of your losses (e.g. loss of hearing, medical care expenses), file your case, negotiate a settlement, and move to a trial if a fair compensation agreement cannot be reached.

Related Article: When To Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer

Why Work With Montagna Law

Montagna Law prides itself on being a client-focused law firm. Our personal injury attorneys strive to deliver high-quality, personalized legal services while helping our clients receive fair compensation.

We will approach your tinnitus or other personal injury case with understanding, compassion, frequent communication, prompt return of phone calls, and consistent updates.

Dealing with tinnitus can be excruciating and cause stress, anxiety, and disruption of your life. We understand the challenges you face with this condition. Our attorneys will provide you with a free case evaluation and offer honest advice.

Testimonials

“If you’re looking for someone who’s professional, attentive, serious, caring, and negotiable than Mr. Anthony Montagna is who you need. He understood his assignment and delivered well especially being with what I was looking at in my case. I want to again thank Mr. Montagna and Kelly for being there for me. Will definitely be spreading his name around.” – Tiara S.

“Tony was great, very professional and knowledgeable. We won our case.”- Ben K.

“We worked with Mr. Montagna and he was amazing. He put us at ease, helped us get ready for court and we had a great outcome. He knows the law, the different judges and how it all runs. Give him a call!!” – Chris H.

Troubled by Tinnitus From a Car Crash?

The attorneys at Montagna Law bring decades of legal experience, advocating and championing the rights of injury victims in Hampton Roads. If you or a loved one suffers ear injuries or other car accident-related injuries, our car accident lawyers can help. Call us at 877-622-8100 to schedule an appointment for your free consultation, or fill out our convenient online contact form.