Can Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Cause Vision or Hearing Loss?

The brain is an extraordinary piece of tech. On average, an adult brain makes about 2% of the total body mass of an adult, yet it controls almost everything we do, consciously or unconsciously.

So when the human brain is damaged, it can have some unexpected effects on how we live. The occipital lobe is the vision center of the brain, and the temporal lobe controls our hearing. When these parts of the brain are injured, it can affect how we process the world around us.

How does hearing loss happen with TBI?

When you hit your head during an accident, it could damage the delicate bones inside the ear. When the ear bones are damaged because of an injury, it can become difficult for a person to hear well (or at all), and it can affect balance, too.

If the hit to the head also causes damage to the temporal lobe, the brain could have a difficult time processing the sounds after the injury. It can make others’ speech sound distorted, or make it difficult to modulate the volume of the victim’s voice.

Why does vision loss occur with a TBI?

The occipital lobe sits in the back of the skull. A direct hit to this part of the skull – say, during a car crash when a driver or passenger’s head whips back into the seat, or from a hit while playing contact sports – can lead to varying degrees of vision loss. Things may appear blurry to the victims, or they may have a difficult time seeing from their peripherals. Some people may be ale to see clearly, but experience a condition called prosopagnosia – the inability to recognize faces.

Many people who suffer from traumatic brain injuries also end up with more sensitivity to bright lights. They may need to wear protective glasses when going out in the direct sunlight or when sitting inside a room with bright lights. The glare that would normally not bother most people can cause headaches and irritation to someone with a traumatic brain injury.

What else can happen with a TBI?

Brain injuries are so traumatic because of the many symptoms they can cause. In addition to hearing loss and vision loss, someone with such a serious injury could develop behavioral issues, including aggressive behavior and impulsive behavior, or lose their sense of smell. Some will experience headaches on a constant basis. People with these injuries have a greater risk of suffering from depression, too.

Did an accident cause you to endure a traumatic brain injury? Are you now struggling with frustrating symptoms, such as a loss of hearing, loss of vision, feelings of irritability, or even depression? If you are struggling and want to know more about the rights you have to recover damages for what you have been through in Chicago, Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers is waiting to hear from you. Call us today at 312-600-9585 or complete the contact form on our website.