5 Injuries That Can Cause Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is a very common condition that affects one in every eight people in the US. That’s over 30 million people. There are many causes of hearing loss, including hereditary conditions, illness, side effects of medications, sustained exposure to loud noises and aging. A hearing health provider can work with you to find the best solution to improving your hearing.

Some hearing loss is not caused by a medical condition or getting older, it can also be a result of an injury you’ve sustained which affects the way you either pick up or process sound waves.

The most common types of injuries to result in hearing loss include:

1. Sudden Loud Noise

Sustained exposure to loud noise is a well-known cause of hearing loss, which is why many people wear specialist hearing protection such as headphones or earplugs when at work. Hearing loss of this type often becomes apparent over time with people noticing a ringing (tinnitus) or that they can’t hear people speak as clearly as they used to. If you’ve experienced a sudden traumatic noise, then your hearing could be affected almost immediately.

For most people, anything above 80dBs is the limit at which hearing loss could become an issue. If you’re around a sudden loud explosion that is above 120dBs, then this can affect your hearing.

2. Head Injury

Any injury to the head can be a cause for concern. Your skull is designed to cope with any slight knocks easily, but if you experience substantial head trauma from an accident or fall, then there are a number of ways that this can result in hearing loss.

It’s not just your ears that are involved in hearing. Once the sound waves have been transmitted through your outer and inner ear, then it is the brain’s job to decipher these sound waves into a sound that you can recognize. There are a number of different areas of the brain involved in this, so if your head injury damages one of these sections, then this can affect how you receive and interpret sounds.

Head trauma on the side of the head can also damage the physiology of the outer or inner ear, causing hearing loss. If, after a head injury, you begin to experience a ringing in your ears (tinnitus), hearing loss, or dizziness, then you should seek treatment immediately.

3. Extreme Cold Temperatures

When the temperature drops, it’s important to keep warm. Extremely low temperatures can cause frostbite to your fingers, nose, lips and even your outer ears. In some cases, it can also damage your inner ear. So, if you live in an area that experiences very cold winters or you’re traveling somewhere that does, be sure to pack earmuffs instead to protect your ears if you’re going to be outside.

4. Inserting Objects in Your Ears

Most people mistakenly think that cotton swaps were invented to clean your inner ears of wax. In fact, this is very dangerous and over time, will actually push wax further into your ear canal, which can cause hearing loss. Another danger is that you use too much force and actually perforate your eardrum, which can cause hearing loss.

5. Whiplash

Whiplash can occur when your head is suddenly and violently moved back and forth, such as in a car accident. When whiplash occurs, the brain can be jolted and cause concussion-like symptoms as well as damaging the areas of the brain which are involved in the translating of sounds.

What Should You Do if You Suspect You Have Hearing Loss?

If you have experienced an injury, then it is important to get the right treatment through a medical professional to deal with your initial treatment. Hearing loss may not always be noticeable after a traumatic injury. You should contact a hearing care specialist, who will be able to assess your level of hearing loss and recommend the best treatment for your specific needs.

This can often include finding the correct type of hearing aid for you if necessary. Your hearing health professional can also help you to find the best form of ear protection to prevent your hearing loss from developing further due to noise. The hearing care providers at Hearing Solutions Inc. can guide you through your initial assessment and help find the right solution for you. Contact us today to set up your appointment at (701) 566-7280 to speak to a member of the team.