Article Directory :: Legal Articles Traumatic Brain Injury and Hearing By Alan Haburchak Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 31Dec2007 Word count: 506 Viewed: 364 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site Because the inner ear is directly connected to the central nervous system in humans, it may not be surprising that hearing problems are common after a traumatic brain injury. Tinnitus, a ringing, roaring or buzzing in the ears, and hearing loss are two of the most widely reported side effects of a TBI. Other hearing-related problems that can stem from brain damage include hyperacusis, in which normal situations seem unbearably loud; difficulty filtering one set of sounds from background noise, such as a conversation in a crowded restaurant; or auditory agnosia (also called pure word deafness), in which the patient is simply unable to recognize the meanings of certain sounds. Ear Structure and Traumatic Brain Injury Damage to the ear itself during a traumatic brain injury can cause hearing problems. The inner ear is made of a series of small and delicate membranes and body parts, which can rupture during head trauma. The cochlea, an important spiral-shaped bone inside the ear, may be concussed by a strong blow, causing hearing damage when supporting membranes are torn; patients with cochlear concussions often develop vertigo as well. Another type of membrane damage, perilymphatic fistula, causes hearing loss as well as vertigo and nausea. Surgery may help to correct this type of damage. Doctors agree that damage to the central nervous system also plays a major role in TBI-related hearing problems, especially those with a cognitive basis. Among many others, a 2005 study by doctors at Haifa University in Israel showed that TBI patients who complained of hearing problems (including tinnitus) had significantly reduced function in a part of the brain that regulates hearing, compared to TBI patients without hearing complaints as well as people without head injuries. A German study from 2004 concluded that post-concussion syndrome led to hearing problems, even a year after the trauma, and that widespread damage to connections between the nerves of the central auditory pathway was probably to blame. Brain Injury-Related Hearing Loss Takes Toll on Everyday Life Because hearing loss limits or takes away one of the primary tools humans use to communicate, it has the potential to complicate many of the other side effects of brain damage, particularly cognitive and social problems. For some TBI victims, cognitive issues, such as trouble "finding words," already interfere with their ability to communicate. And inappropriate behaviors are only exacerbated if the patient genuinely cannot hear what is going on. If You Suffer From TBI-Related Hearing Problems Some hearing problems disappear a few weeks after the accident that led to the patient's brain damage, but others are lifelong afflictions. Some patients may not even notice their hearing problems until they are diagnosed by a doctor or audiologist. TBI experts, including the National Institutes of Health, recommend that patients who have sustained brain damage consult an audiologist, even if it seems like nothing is wrong. You may also wish to contact an experienced TBI attorney to evaluate your potential brain injury lawsuit and help you secure compensation for your injuries. LegalView.com is the number one resource for everything legal on the Web. By visiting http://brain-injury.legalview.com, individuals will find additional information on locating a traumatic brain injury (TBI) lawyer. Or for other legal information visit http://www.LegalView.com. Here, users will find information on contacting a mesothelioma law firm. EasyPublish™ this article - publishers click here More articles by Alan Haburchak

Free Report! Ten Essential Secrets Of Article Marketing ... Grab Your Free Copy Now: We respect your privacy. Need Content? Regular Top Quality Content for your Blog, Ezine or Website ... Delivered Direct, For Free! Click For Details Arts & Entertainment Automotive Business - General Computers & Technology Finance & Investment Food & Drink Health & Fitness Home & Family Internet Marketing/Online Business Legal Pets & Animals Politics & Government Reference & Education Religion & Faith Self-Improvement/Motivation Social Sports & Recreation Travel & Leisure Writing & Speaking

More legal articles:

• Diathermy Burns (Julie Glynn)
  If you have suffered a diathermy burn during surgery, you will probably have a number of questions that need to be answered. For example, why did you wake up from surgery with a burn on your skin? Is this the fault of your surgeon? And is there any action you can take?

• Getting the Best Personal Injury Lawyer (Paul Malcolm)
  A personal injury lawyer can be of great help to you or your family members. This is because sometimes you or your loved one may suffer personal injuries due to negligence of someone else. Such people may decline to own up their mistake and take responsibility. The insurance company may also deny some people coverage for the damages caused. Pursuing such persons can be very hard without the help of a personal injury lawyer.

• Texting Whilst Driving - The Dangers And The Consequences (Robert Gray)
  As soon as you pick up your phone whilst driving, to read or respond to a text message, your attention is immediately taken away from the road in front of you and you are distracted. Using a mobile phone whilst driving is an offence and if caught you should not expect to get off lightly.

• Compensation Following The Hip Replacement Recall (Tim Bishop)
  Following a hip replacement those having undergone an operation may wish to seek compensation. Before doing so they should seek a right legal advice - from medical negligence solicitors who specialising hip replacement compensation claims.

• The Best Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You Win Your Case (Paul Malcolm)
  If you slip and fall you may incur some harmful injuries. These injuries could be: soft tissue, a bone fracture or even emotional damage that might traumatize you for a period of time. Should there be proof that the injury you endured was a case of negligence by another party, then a personal injury lawyer should be hired to protect you. Slip and falling accidents are one of the areas that are covered by personal injury laws.

• How A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You (Paul Malcolm)
  Personal injury cases are reported year in and year out. These are injuries that victims sustain as a result of another person's fault. In the event of personal injury, you are allowed to file a claim to fight for your rights and possible compensation. The process can be difficult and there are many forms that must be in proper order just to begin a claim. Therefore, it is vital to seek legal assistance from a personal injury lawyer.

• The Significance Of Personal Injury Lawyers (Paul Malcolm)
  Accidents may occur to anybody and can take place in situations that even the victims least expected. An accident can happen to you in the house, on the way to the market or even at work. An accident may include slip and falls, car accidents and other misfortunes. For you to be able to get a fair compensation, you will need to seek the help of a personal injury lawyer, slip and fall lawyers or any other accident lawyers.

• 4 Good Reasons To Consider Franchising and Specialist Franchise Legal Advice (Tim Bishop)
  There are quite a few reasons you might want to consider buying into a franchise. This article looks at some of the main ones, including the facts that you'll have a tried and tested business model, and support when setting up and help when it comes to marketing -along with why you will need specialist franchise legal advice.

• Claiming For Bowel Perforation (Julie Glynn)
  There are several ways in which a bowel perforation may lead to a medical negligence claim. We will look at each of these in turn, helping you to understand whether or not you have been the victim of medical negligence.

• Making Legal Characters (Mark Shapiro)
  If you're a lawyer or a paralegal, you are likely to know really well the way to get a word processor show and print a § or a ¶ character. For us mortals, the typical word processor doesn't often make it clear how one can crate legal characters.