Toledo Hearing Loss Attorney

Hearing loss that is not caused by aging is usually the result of an injury to the head, prolonged exposure to noise, or sudden exposure to extremely loud noise. Regardless of how it occurred, hearing loss can have serious and often permanent consequences that can make it difficult for a person to complete daily tasks or secure employment. For this reason, it is especially important for those who have suffered hearing loss in an accident or at work to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney who is well-versed in state law and can help them seek compensation for their losses.

Causes and Types of Hearing Loss

The structures that make up the ear are fragile and can be injured by any one of a variety of different forces, including:

• A blow to the head, which can dislocate the three bones located in the middle ear, or rupture the eardrum or the nerves in the cochlea, all of which can cause either temporary or permanent deafness;
• A cut or some other form of trauma to the ear canal, which can cause bleeding, infection, and temporary hearing loss;
• A sudden loud noise, such as an explosion or gunshot, which can cause acoustic trauma and subsequent hearing loss; and
• A dramatic change in air pressure, which can place too much stress on the eardrum, resulting in bleeding or a fluid imbalance in the middle or inner ear.

These types of traumatic experiences can cause one of the following three main types of hearing loss:

• Conductive hearing loss, which involves damage to the ear canal, eardrum, or middle ear;
• Sensorineural hearing loss, which is also known as nerve-related hearing loss, and involves problems with the inner ear; and
• Mixed hearing loss, which is a term used to refer to a mix of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

All three of these types of hearing loss can result in serious auditory symptoms, such as:

• Tinnitus, which involves a severe ringing in the ears;
• Difficulty filtering background noise;
• Partial or total hearing loss in one or both ears;
• Infection; and
• Extreme pain.

In some cases, these problems can be addressed through surgical intervention or taking certain medications. Unfortunately, these methods are not always successful, in which case a victim may face permanent injury. In these cases, it is critical for the injured party to speak with a personal injury or workers’ compensation lawyer who can help ensure that they receive compensation for their losses.

Call Today to Schedule a Consultation with a Dedicated Personal Injury Lawyer

If you were involved in a car crash or another type of accident and suffer hearing loss as a result, you may be eligible to collect compensation. Fortunately, those who suffer from hearing loss as a result of their working conditions may also be able to collect workers’ compensation benefits to cover medical bills, wage replacement, and vocational training. We understand how frightening these types of serious injuries can be and are dedicated to helping our clients through every step of their case, so if you were injured in an accident, please contact Lafferty, Gallagher & Scott, LLC to speak with an experienced attorney about your own case.