Hearing loss and deafness are more frequent disabilities in the U.S. than is commonly believed, with hearing loss affecting roughly 60 million Americans aged 12 and above. Around 30% of people aged 65 and above experience hearing loss.
Different factors result in hearing loss and deafness. When hearing loss is abrupt, the underlying cause may be an accident, such as a motor vehicle crash or an explosion. Deafness can also be gradual, such as what many senior citizens experience as they age. If you have been involved in an accident and have gone deaf, it’s essential to understand the type of hearing loss you’ve experienced and the potential long-term costs of deafness.
Types of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss and deafness affect people of all ages. Here are three different types of hearing loss:
- Sensorineural hearing loss: This happens when there is an issue with how the inner ear works.
- Conductive hearing loss: This manifests as a result of problems with the middle ear, eardrum, or ear canal. This type of hearing loss can be treated with medicine or surgery.
- Mixed hearing loss: This is a combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.
Causes of Hearing Loss
There are lots of possible causes of hearing loss and deafness, including:
- Presbycusis, which is gradual age-related hearing loss
- Ear infection
- Perforated eardrum
- Ear tumors
- Loud noises
- Circulatory problems, such as hypertension
- Illness
- Wax buildup
- Heredity
- Certain prescription drugs
- Birth defects
- Assault
- Head trauma
In the context of personal injury cases, various circumstances can lead to accidents that cause head trauma, hearing loss, and even deafness, including:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Boating accidents
- Aviation accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Industrial accidents
- Construction accidents
- Defective products and devices
- Animal attacks
- Nursing home abuse
Symptoms of Hearing Loss and Deafness
It’s not always easy to tell if you are becoming deaf since most people lose their hearing over time. However, in some cases, hearing loss is instant. Common signs of hearing loss and deafness include:
- Asking people to repeat themselves
- Ringing in your ears
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Thinking people are mumbling
- Difficulty following conversations, particularly in noisy environments or while on the phone
- Inability to hear certain high-pitched sounds, such as chirping birds
- Earache
- The need to turn up the volume on electronics such as your computer, television, or radio
Your family or friends may notice your hearing problems before you do. Loss of hearing and deafness can affect a child’s school progress and speech development.
Long-Term Cost Implications of Deafness
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), annual costs associated with unaddressed hearing loss in the global economy are approximately $980 billion. When determining these costs, WHO considered:
- Direct costs incurred by the health sector, excluding the cost of hearing devices
- Indirect costs as a result of loss of productivity from people unable to attain their full potential or find work due to unaddressed hearing loss
- Societal or intangible costs arising from stigma and grief after hearing loss
A study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health also shows the long-term costs of patients with untreated hearing loss over time. According to the report, older adults with the condition incur significantly higher healthcare costs in comparison with those without — $22,434 per person over a decade.
The study revealed that the difference between patients with hearing loss and those without was evident as early as two years after diagnosis, with those suffering from the condition incurring roughly 26% more in healthcare costs. This gap widened to 46% in 10 years, including $2,030 in out-of-pocket expenses.
Victims of hearing loss may also temporarily or permanently require hearing aids. The cost of hearing aids depends on factors such as features and the brand, with prices ranging from $900 to as high as $6,000. Additional expenses for accident victims who require these devices may include hearing tests, ongoing support from audiologists, hearing aid cleanings and fittings, and device replacements.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises people considering buying hearing aids to visit ear specialists if they experience any of these symptoms:
- Discomfort or pain in the ear
- Severe dizziness
- Ringing in one ear
- Pus, fluid, or blood coming out of the ear
- Excessive ear wax
Research shows that people with unaided hearing loss earn $20,000 less on average than those who use cochlear implants or hearing aids. Deaf accident victims may also have to learn sign language to help them interact with others.
Damages Available After Becoming Deaf After an Accident
If you partially or permanently lose your hearing from an accident caused by someone else, you can file a personal injury claim in Louisiana and Texas to seek compensation for your condition. An experienced hearing loss attorney can help you build a compelling injury case to recover damages for:
- Medical bills, including future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of earning capacity
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Proof Required To Establish Liability in a Hearing Loss Claim
In Louisiana and Texas personal injury claims, you must establish that the defendant owed you a duty of care, which they breached, leading to your damages. For example, texting while driving is illegal in Louisiana. If the driver was distracted while driving, you could argue that their reckless actions caused the accident, which left you with a traumatic brain injury and deafness.
To establish liability, you and your hearing loss lawyer may showcase:
- Medical records
- Expert witness testimonies
- Details of how your deafness has affected your life
- Accident reconstruction reports
- Witness statements
- Dashcam, traffic camera, and CCTV footage
Gathering and analyzing relevant pieces of evidence is crucial when proving negligence and establishing liability in personal injury cases. An experienced attorney can examine police reports, interview witnesses, minimize your liability, negotiate a fair settlement, and represent you in court. This gives you the best chance of receiving the best possible settlement or award that covers any long-term costs related to the accident and your hearing loss.
