5 Injuries That Can Cause Hearing Loss

While the majority of hearing loss cases result from aging and exposure to loud noises, a large number are also the consequence of injuries, typically head trauma of one kind or another. In this post, we take a look at five injuries that cause hearing loss and how audiologists can help. 

Frostbite

Most people know that extended cold exposure causes frostbite, a condition characterized by severe damage to extremities, such as the fingers, toes and nose. However, less well-known is that it can sometimes lead to hearing impairment. 

Frostbite is most likely to result in damage to the auricle – the part of the ear that visibly protrudes from the side of the head. Cold wind or rain can lower temperatures to the point where cells die. However, this does not usually result in hearing loss. 

What does lead to hearing loss is another cold-induced condition, called exostosis. Also called surfer’s ear, this condition occurs when the ear canal narrows because of excessive bone growth, stimulated by exposure to cold air and water. For non-surfers, frostbite-induced hearing loss is extremely rare. However, those who expose themselves to extremely cold air over prolonged periods may experience the condition. 

Head Trauma

Head trauma typically results in a concussion. However, hearing loss is also a common side effect. As you might expect, every head injury affects the ear differently. Some cause damage to the outer ear, such as tearing the auricle or ear lobe, while others disrupt the middle and inner ear.

Conductive hearing loss occurs when an impact displaces bones in the ossicular chain, preventing vibrations from traveling from the eardrum to the cochlear. Head injuries can also cause damage to the eardrum itself, preventing it from working properly. 

In some patients, head injuries affect the part of the brain responsible for processing sounds. In these cases, there is no damage to the machinery of the ear. Instead, the brain simply cannot process incoming auditory signals. 

Whiplash

People involved in car accidents often experience whiplash. It occurs when the head suddenly and violently accelerates forwards and then backward, causing the brain to crash into the skull. Whiplash can cause concussion-like symptoms, similar to regular trauma. Consequently, many people involved in accidents often complain of hearing loss following their ordeals.

Due to extreme forces put on the ear during whiplash events, whiplash can lead to damage to the structures of the inner ear and even cause temporomandibular disorder (TMJ) in certain people. Patients may experience vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss. 

Whiplash can also affect the nerves and muscles that support the ears. During violent jolting of the head and neck during a collision, they can become damaged, affecting your ability to hear. 

Perforated Eardrum

Perforated eardrums are extremely common. Perforation can occur for various reasons including sudden changes in pressure, loud noises and even water damage. However, the most common cause is putting objects, such as cotton swabs, into the ear. 

As a general rule, it’s a good idea to avoid putting anything in your ear, even if you have impacted cerumen. If you need to drain earwax, use an over-the-counter ear wash solution. Don’t try to rake it out with objects lying around your home. You may push them in too far, either damaging the eardrum or further compacting existing ear wax. 

The good news is that perforations usually heal within a few weeks and won’t cause permanent hearing loss. However, you may struggle to focus on conversations during the interim. 

Loud Noises

Lastly, loud noises can cause sudden or gradual hearing loss. Common sources include loud music, jet engines or occupational exposure, including machinery. However, many veterans also experience hearing loss following exposure to shock waves and blast noises from detonating devices at close range. 

Loud noises damage the ear through several mechanisms. Energy from excessive noise, for instance, can tear the eardrum itself, causing it to perforate. Sound can also overwork the delicate hair cells in the cochlear, forcing them to die off over time, a leading cause of sensorineural hearing loss. 

Some patients also experience noise-induced nerve damage. This occurs when sounds become too loud for the auditory nerve to process, leading to confusion when interpreting sounds. The nerve can repair, but often the damage is permanent. 

Get Help for Injury-Induced Hearing Loss

If you believe that you might have hearing loss resulting from an injury, our audiologists can help. Get in touch with Two Rivers Hearing today by calling us today at (321) 499-2488 and discover what we can do for you.