Can a Traumatic Brain Injury Lead to Hearing or Vision Loss?

By Ryan Y. Cunningham | November 26, 2019

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most severe injuries that can occur to an accident victim. These brain injuries often develop when a person’s head hits an object, such as the windshield or headrest in a vehicle during a car accident, or a hard surface in a slip and fall accident. Injuries to the brain can physically limit a person’s ability to do different things that once came naturally, such as using the hands to eat or get dressed and using the legs to walk, run, or dance. These physical limitations may even include hearing loss and vision loss.

Will vision loss occur?

Not everyone with a traumatic brain injury will experience vision loss, but that does not mean that it won’t happen. Because a traumatic injury to the brain can cause neurological damage, it can affect a person’s ability to speak, process thoughts, or even see. Some people with TBIs will experience blurred vision. They may have a difficult time seeing what is in front of them, making it difficult to read, watch television, or even see the road while driving. Some people will lose their vision altogether because of the severity of traumatic brain injuries.

Will hearing loss occur?

Unfortunately, traumatic brain injuries can lead to issues with the ears that can eventually cause permanent hearing loss. The reason these injuries can lead to hearing loss is that there is often damage to the nerve cells. The damage is usually not reversable. Some people who sustain TBIs will experience auditory issues, making it difficult to understand conversations. In some cases, the use of hearing aids can assist an individual with a lack of hearing from a traumatic brain injury. However, in more severe cases, the damage may be permanent, leaving the injured individual with profound hearing loss.

Both vision loss and hearing loss can occur when a person suffers a traumatic brain injury. Some of the other things that can happen as a result of these types of severe injuries include chronic dizziness, a constant state of confusion, inability to remember things, and slurred speech. These are only a few of the symptoms associated with TBIs. The exact symptoms that a person will experience varies based on the extent of the brain injury and the circumstances under which it occurred.

A traumatic brain injury is the kind of injury that can negatively affect you for the rest of your life. If your injury is the result of someone else’s negligence, you need an attorney. Cunningham & Mears works with victims in Oklahoma City and throughout the state. If you wish to consult with us about your injuries and the accident, call us today at 405-232-1212 or send us your information via our contact form.

 

 

Posted in Brain Injury