Auto collisions can lead to a host of serious injuries that affect a person’s life and daily functions, including ear injuries and trauma. Because of flying debris, explosions, and other issues caused by car accidents, car accident victims can suffer from a number of injuries that range in severity. In this article, we will outline the different types of ear injuries that can result from car accidents.
Common Types of Ear Injuries Suffered After Auto Accidents
During a car accident, your inner, outer, or middle ear can sustain damage. Here are some of the most common ear injuries you can sustain in car accidents.
- Avulsion. This type of injury occurs when part of the ear is torn off partially or completely. Specifically, the ear becomes detached from the head in some way. You will need surgery to repair an avulsion injury.
- Ruptured eardrum. This inner ear injury can be sustained because of loud noises, trauma, a severe infection, or a foreign object in the ear. If you notice clear fluid leaking from your ear, your eardrum is likely perforated and you should seek medical care as soon as possible.
- Tinnitus. Tinnitus involves a constant buzzing, ringing, or sound in the ear. Changes in air pressure, loud noises, or the impact of the air bag or crash can lead to this type of injury.
- Foreign object injuries. If an object becomes lodged in your ear (inner or outer), that is a foreign object injury. Your eardrum may be ruptured by the foreign object depending on how deep the object gets into the ear.
- Fractures. Your ear has bones that can break or become dislocated in the accident. Middle ear bone breaks often require surgery and occur if other bones in the face or jaw break as well.
- Cauliflower ear. Also known as a subperichondrial hematoma, cauliflower ear occurs when blood pools under the skin in the ear causing the ear cartilage loos lumpy, swollen, and/or rippled. You can sustain this injury if you outer ear sustains trauma like a powerful blow.
- Lacerations. Cuts and scratches to the ear can be minor or serious depending on the size and depth of the cut.
Hearing loss, permanent and temporary, is also a common type of ear-related injury you can sustain. However, hearing loss can also be the result of head or facial trauma.
Symptoms of Hearing Loss or Another Ear Injury
The symptoms you may experience if you have an ear injury vary based on the type and severity of your injuries. You should be mindful of the following symptoms of ear injuries:
- Ear pain
- Dizziness or balance issues
- Headaches
- Bleeding or pus from the ear
- Ringing in the ear
- Itching sensation in the ear
- Burning in the ear
Injured in an Auto Accident? Contact Our Team!
At Eliot Reiner, APLC, our attorneys have decades of collective experience, and we are more than able to help car accident victims pursue civil action after being in a car accident. If you or a loved one are suffering an ear injury, we can advise you of your legal options, investigate causation and liability, and handle the case legalities. Suffering from ear injuries of any kind can be scary and life-changing, and while you focus on your recovery, you can trust that our team is working tirelessly to maximize your compensation and minimize your liability.
To discuss your case with a member of our team, contact us online or via phone (916) 778-3228.