Whiplash, one of the most common car accident injuries, occurs when impact forces the head and neck to snap back and forth violently. Most prevalent in rear-end accidents, these neck injuries can also affect the ears, with about 10% of victims experiencing tinnitus, vertigo, and hearing loss.
This article will focus on tinnitus — the perception of a sound with no external source, which manifests as buzzing, hissing, and ringing in one or both ears.
The Connection Between Whiplash and Tinnitus
You experience tinnitus after a car crash because the inner ear, neck muscles, and nerves are interconnected. The inner ear controls balance, neck muscles control head movement, and nerves carry signals between the ear, brain, and neck.
Whiplash can damage neck muscles, nerves, and the inner ear, disrupting the body’s balance signals and causing dizziness and tinnitus. These disrupted signals often explain why head movements can intensify tinnitus symptoms.
How Whiplash Affects the Auditory System
The mechanisms that cause tinnitus after whiplash aren’t entirely understood. [1] However, there are some potential explanations for why you hear ringing in the ears:
- Reduced blood flow – A temporary blockage of the vertebral artery can reduce blood flow to the ear and cause tinnitus.
- Brainstem injury – The brainstem processes hearing and balance signals, so a concussion may disrupt the process.
- Inner ear injury – Also known as a labyrinthine concussion, it can cause hearing problems.
- Acoustic trauma – The crash or airbag deployment noise can cause ear damage.
- Existing hearing problems – Whiplash can worsen existing hearing disorders.
- Irritated neck muscles – They can cause tinnitus by pressing on the nerves connected to the middle ear.
- Cervical spine issues – Whiplash can cause misalignments in the cervical spine, potentially affecting nerve function and blood flow to the auditory system.
Types of Tinnitus Linked to Whiplash
After a motor vehicle accident, you are more likely to develop certain kinds of tinnitus, particularly somatic tinnitus. This type of tinnitus is closely linked to neck injury and can vary in intensity based on your head and neck position. Somatic tinnitus has the following symptoms:
- Ringing, buzzing, or pulsating sounds
- Localized pain or discomfort
- Higher tinnitus volume than other causes of tinnitus
- More variability in sound intensity or pitch, often changing with movement
People who suffer from post-traumatic tinnitus (such as from whiplash) are also more often sensitive to sound and more likely to suffer a higher mental burden. [2]
Victims may also experience pulsatile tinnitus, which creates a rhythmic sound matching their heartbeat, or subjective tinnitus, characterized by a constant ringing, buzzing, or whistling only the patient can hear.
Studies Linking Whiplash in Car Accidents to Tinnitus
Several studies have explored the connection between a whiplash injury and tinnitus, but we will only name a few.
In one study, researchers found a specific type of nerve injury in a patient who developed tinnitus after a whiplash injury [3]. They used an imaging method called Diffusion Tensor Tractography (DTT), which showed an injury to the auditory radiation, a component of the auditory sensory pathway in the brain.
In another study, whiplash was cited as one of the neurologic causes of tinnitus, along with head injury, multiple sclerosis, and some tumors. [4] Cervicogenic somatic tinnitus (CST) has also been associated with whiplash. [5]
Diagnosing Tinnitus Caused by Whiplash Injury
After a car accident, it’s essential to see a medical professional and run diagnostic tests as soon as possible. This medical evaluation can help you avoid complications and also help your personal injury claim.
Medical Evaluation
If you’ve been in a car accident, seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor. Some injuries are not immediately apparent, like minor head trauma associated with whiplash or internal damage.
Also, showing the neck injury diagnosis in your medical records can help you later when dealing with insurance claims or legal matters.
Diagnostic Tests
If you have neck pain, ear ringing, or other symptoms, run diagnostic tests to identify the cause. These tests include:
- Audiograms – Hearing tests that measure hearing sensitivity at different frequencies to determine if there is any hearing loss.
- Imaging scans – MRIs and CT scans are medical tests used to examine the internal structures of the neck and head.
- Physical examination – A medical professional will examine your ears, neck, and jaw to discover the causes of your tinnitus.
Ruling Out Other Causes
If you’ve suffered whiplash or other injuries, run additional tests to exclude other causes of tinnitus. These causes include infections, hearing loss, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), and neurological problems.
Treatment Options for Tinnitus
Tinnitus is uncomfortable and can affect one’s work and daily life. Fortunately, several medical treatment options are available.
Sound Therapy
Sound therapy can include white noise, nature sounds, or soothing music. This treatment can help the brain change its focus from the ringing sound of tinnitus to more pleasant sounds. While it doesn’t fix the issue, it enables you to develop a helpful coping mechanism.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Experiencing tinnitus can cause mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, concentration problems, and sleeping issues. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on changing your thought patterns and responses to tinnitus. It also teaches you mindfulness and relaxation techniques to help you cope.
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)
People who have developed tinnitus after a car accident can benefit from Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT). TRT combines sound therapy and counseling to help manage the symptoms and reduce tinnitus-related emotional distress.
Medications and Alternative Therapies
There are other potential treatment options, such as anxiety medication or antidepressants, which can provide relief to affected patients. In some cases, doctors prescribe corticosteroids to reduce swelling and inflammation in the inner ear and ease tinnitus symptoms.
Other options include alternative therapies such as acupuncture or chiropractic care, lifestyle changes, and stress management techniques.
Legal Options if Your Tinnitus is Caused by Whiplash in an Accident
If you’ve suffered a whiplash injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may have the right to compensation. An experienced Chicago personal injury attorney from our team can guide you through the process and help you recover damages for your injuries.
Proving Causation
To receive compensation, you need to establish a clear, direct link between the accident and the onset of tinnitus.
To do this, you need strong evidence, such as a doctor’s diagnosis, treatment records, and a clear timeline that shows that your tinnitus was caused by the car accident.
At the same time, you will need to keep all documentation related to treatment and diagnosis, especially medical bills. You must show your treatment-related expenses to recover them in an insurance claim.
Seeking Compensation
People who are suffering from tinnitus can seek compensation for various damages, including:
- Medical expenses –This cost includes medical bills for treatments, therapies, counseling, and medical equipment for managing tinnitus (e.g., hearing aid, retraining device, masking device).
- Lost wages – If the tinnitus affected your ability to work, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income during recovery. This bill may include past and future wages.
- Pain and suffering – Car accidents often result in emotional trauma and physical pain, and you may be eligible for compensation.
- Loss of enjoyment – If you have severe symptoms that prevent you from enjoying hobbies or other activities, you may be able to recover compensation.
Insurance companies often try to minimize or deny your damages and pain or blame you for the accident. They aim to pay as little as possible, which is why you need an experienced car accident lawyer and strong medical evidence.
Expert Legal Counsel for Whiplash Injuries!
While tinnitus and related symptoms can intensify the medical, financial, and emotional impact of a car accident, help is available. You can take medical and legal steps to manage your symptoms and recover your losses.
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we’re experienced with car accidents and can help you recover damages for tinnitus and all other injuries. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay anything unless we win.
Call (888) 424-5757 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation.
References: [1] Science Direct, [2] National Library of Medicine, [3] National Library of Medicine, [4] National Library of Medicine, [5] National Library of Medicine