Crashes, falls and other injury-causing accidents can all cause concussions. Because concussions are not uncommon, people can underestimate the severity of this injury.
After any accident, seeking a doctor will be crucial if there is a risk of a concussion. There are several reasons for this, including one symptom you might not anticipate: persistent sound-processing difficulties.
Concussions and making sense of sound
Researchers have found that as many as 20 percent of people have difficulty processing auditory information after a concussion. More specifically, they can struggle with the so-called “speech-in-noise test.”
This test measures a person’s ability to hear conversations with a lot of background noise. When a person gets a concussion, they may not understand something being said in a room with a lot of noise.
Research has also found that a concussion can affect a person’s ability to process rapid speech and experience hypersensitivity to certain sounds.
So, while a person may hear fine in an otherwise quiet setting, they can struggle in other ways.
One of many concussion symptoms
On their own, specific auditory limitations may not seem to be overly troubling. However, this is just one of many consequences of a concussion. And when you put all the symptoms together, even minor conditions can make life more difficult.
For instance, a person can also be experiencing:
- Headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
- Mood changes
- Balance problems
- Memory loss
While it may be possible to overcome the challenges that come with one of these issues infrequently, many concussion victims experience multiple chronic symptoms simultaneously.
People’s daily lives can be far more complicated when they experience cognitive, audio or visual challenges, not to mention changes in their personalities. They may need more help at work or school; they may not be able to drive; they may not be able to perform specific complex actions or thoughts in the same way.
Getting the care you need
Considering all the ways a concussion can affect your life, getting medical attention after an accident is imperative.
And if you do suffer serious injuries, holding the appropriate party accountable for your damages can be wise. You can discuss this and other legal options with the attorneys at the Quinn Law Firm by calling 814-806-2518.
