A Clear Guide to Post-Head Injury Hearing Loss
Managing Post-Head Injury Hearing Loss Safely
Hearing changes after a head injury are common and may follow concussion, whiplash, or minor trauma. Symptoms often improve with time and support. An urgent audiovestibular medicine review is needed if hearing loss appears suddenly, worsens rapidly, affects one ear, or occurs with severe dizziness, headaches, confusion, or neurological symptoms.
Hearing loss After Head Injury
An Overview of Post-Head Injury Hearing Loss
Post-head injury hearing loss refers to changes in hearing that occur after trauma to the head or neck. These changes can follow events such as falls, road accidents, sports injuries, or a concussion. Hearing may feel reduced, distorted, or unclear, even when the injury was considered mild. Symptoms can appear immediately or develop days to weeks later.
Injury can affect different parts of the hearing and balance system, including the inner ear, auditory nerve, or brain pathways involved in sound processing. Some people also experience tinnitus, sound sensitivity, or dizziness. Recovery varies depending on injury severity, but early assessment helps identify treatable causes and guide appropriate care.
Pinpointing the Cause
Diagnosing Post-Head Injury Hearing Loss
When to Get Checked
Hearing changes after a head injury often settle, but some symptoms need prompt specialist review to ensure safety and recovery.
You should get assessed if hearing loss appears suddenly, worsens over time, affects one ear, or follows even minor trauma. Urgent review is needed if symptoms include severe dizziness, persistent headaches, confusion, visual changes, nausea, imbalance, tinnitus, facial weakness, or any neurological signs after injury, even if initial scans were normal.
How We Assess Post-Head Injury Hearing Loss
At Harley AVM, we focus on understanding the injury itself and how symptoms have evolved since. We take time to discuss the nature of the impact, timing of hearing changes, associated dizziness or sound sensitivity, and any cognitive or neurological symptoms. This detailed history helps us distinguish inner ear injury, nerve involvement, or central processing effects linked to trauma.
Assessment is guided by individual presentation and may include pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, speech-in-noise testing, tympanometry, acoustic reflex threshold testing, eustachian tube function assessment, and otoacoustic emissions. Our senior audiovestibular clinician reviews all findings, ensuring results are interpreted within the context of head injury recovery and functional impact.
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DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
Specialist Tests to Assess Hearing, Balance and Inner Ear Health
Harley Street Specialists in Hearing, Dizziness & Balance
Specialist Care for Post Head Injury Hearing Loss
Every Post Head Injury Hearing Loss case is different. Your consultant will create a tailored plan to address your specific symptoms and lifestyle – when it started, how it affects your day, and which tests and treatments are right for you.