Hearing loss can be caused by health conditions, occupational hazards, genetics or even trauma like auto accidents or motorcycle accidents. Accidents can be life-altering, and even minor injuries if left untreated can result in larger health complications. After an accident occurs your body may be in a state of shock.
Accidental Injuries That Cause Hearing Loss
There are some ways you can lose hearing from an accident, including getting hit on the head or by the impact of airbag deployment. In major accidents, hearing injuries can occur when your head is launched into the windshield, on the steering wheel, against the door, or slammed hard against any other object. These blows can cause injuries to the inner ear, middle ear bones, cochlea, or temporal bone.
When an airbag deploys the explosives can create a sound that is larger than 170 decibels (Db). Noises at this level can disturb your equilibrium and cause permanent damage to your hearing. If you’ve gotten into an accident and feel as though you may have hearing loss, you should see a hearing specialist immediately.
Once Diagnosed, What Happens Next?
If you’ve been diagnosed with hearing loss, the next step is to ask for a prescription for a hearing instrument. There are various companies that sell hearing instruments. Hearing aid clinics often carry hearing instruments from only a few providers, but they can also order in any hearing instrument that you’ve got in mind. Do your research and figure out which instrument would suit your life best. With certain hearing losses, only a few instruments can be prescribed due to the nature of your injuries. The good news is, hearing instruments are upgraded annually, and with these upgrades come improvements.
Hearing Instruments
Hearing instruments have come a long way from large clunky beige hearing aids that sit in your ear canal. There are hearing options that are nearly invisible and can be matched to your hair color. Hearing aids also include a BlueTooth option so that you can use your hearing aids with iPads and other BlueTooth devices.
On the off-chance that your hearing instrument is in need of repairs and you’ve purchased your instrument from an authorized clinic like Sound Relief, you may be able to repair your hearing aids in house. Your hearing instrument could also be repaired with some troubleshooting efforts like the ones mentioned on the Sound Relief website: https://www.soundrelief.com/hearing-aids/hearing-aid-repair/
If you were in an accident, seek medical help. If you feel that your accident resulted in hearing loss, seek a clinical specialist to ensure that you’ll never miss a beat. Choose the right brand of hearing instrument that has the best options suitable for your needs and ensure that your provider is there for continued support with any technical issues that you may have.
Once you’ve gotten your aids or assistive devices, don’t forget to get your annual hearing screening. Any updates to your hearing loss must be reflected in the calibration of your device. You may feel as though your hearing hasn’t changed but if you get your aids/devices adjusted according to slight changes your hearing won’t feel as though you’re making a large change and it’ll be more comfortable to adjust to the new settings
Getting Help
If you’ve been in an accident, be sure to get medical help then seek out a knowledgeable lawyer. An auto or motorcycle accident lawyer, and one who specializes in personal injury, would be ideal to help navigate your case. If your motorcycle accident left you with hearing impairments or difficulties, you may be entitled to financial compensation to help you cover the costs. Whatever retribution is decided for you, having an expert opinion on your case can make a world of difference and give you the time you need to heal.
Additionally, if the trauma of the event left you emotionally scarred, don’t be afraid to visit a therapist. With accidents, the healing process can be more than just physical. Take care of your body and your mind in the aftermath of an accident.
