Every year, in our country, some 1.4 million people visit a hospital emergency room with a head injury; 200,000 of these cases are severe enough to result in the patient staying in hospital. 

Common Head Injuries and Their Causes

We can identify four different types of head injuries:

• Concussion: This is the most common head injury and can range from mild to severe.
• Contusion: A bruise on the brain.
• Intracranial hematoma: Bleeding under the skull.
• Fractured skull: Break in the skull bone

The brain is delicate and vulnerable to injury. Even seemingly minor blows to the head can cause damage. Common causes include:

• Playing contact sports: We’ve known for a long time that boxing and rugby can cause injury to the brain, but nowadays, less obvious sports such as football are coming under scrutiny.
• Car accidents: Wear a seat belt to reduce your risk of head injury.
• Bicycle accidents: A common cause of head injuries for both children and adults. Wearing a properly fitting helmet can significantly reduce the risk of head injury.
• Falls: The elderly are particularly susceptible to falls. You can install handrails in, for example, the bathroom to aid older family members and friends.

How Can a Head Injury Affect my Hearing?

A head injury can result in:

• Tinnitus is persistent buzzing or ringing in one or both ears.
• Making out specific sounds is especially difficult when there is background noise.
• Difficulty in pinpointing where a sound is coming from.

If you have suffered a head injury, the effect on your hearing might be overlooked. You should tell your doctor if you are experiencing any difficulty hearing following an accident. You don’t need a referral from your doctor to see an Audiologist, but your General Practitioner can refer you on either privately or on the NHS.  Private hearing care like the services we offer here in Altrincham give your more options and more time to be listened to and heard.

Hearing Test

If you are experiencing any hearing problems after an accident, you should arrange a hearing test. The procedure is non-invasive and painless. Your Audiologist will be able to determine the type and severity of your hearing loss and suggest the best way to proceed.

A hearing aid is often the best option, but there are various other possibilities. Your Audiologist will suggest what is best for you – the Altrincham Hearing Team are specialists in getting people to hear at their best, with ease.

Hearing loss after an accident might be temporary and clear up of its own accord. However, it would be best if you didn’t leave anything to chance. If you have any hearing problems following a fall or accident, consult a specialist.  We can help! Get in touch with Pritesh and the team today

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