When your hearing suddenly drops after a crash

Advice from an ear, nose and throat specialist and an audiologist

For survivors and families3 min read

ENT injuriesSudden hearing lossHearing lossEmergency careHearing tests

A crash can affect your hearing by injuring the eardrum, the middle ear, the inner ear or the hearing nerve. The noise of an airbag and a blow to the head can matter too. A suddenly muffled ear may seem merely plugged. Sudden hearing loss in the inner ear, though, can need a quick exam because timing matters. Ringing or dizziness can come with either kind. An exam and a hearing test help pinpoint where the problem is. [1, 2]

Get checked soon

Tell your doctor when your hearing changed and whether one ear or both are affected. Mention any blow to the head, bleeding from the ear, spinning dizziness or a burst of loud sound. An ear exam can look for a torn eardrum or a blockage. [1, 2]

An audiogram is a hearing test. It measures your hearing. It also helps sort out whether the trouble is in carrying sound through the ear or in the inner ear. Do not wait weeks to see if a sudden, large change clears up on its own. [1, 2]

Let the diagnosis steer treatment

A torn eardrum, an injury to the middle ear and an injury to the inner ear may each need different care. Treatments for sudden inner ear hearing loss aren’t automatically right for every hearing change after an injury. Ask if the crash means you need imaging or a specialist’s review. Don’t put anything in your ear. If your care team thinks the eardrum may be torn, keep the ear dry. [1, 2]

Warning signs that need emergency care

Get emergency care if hearing loss comes with a severe headache or new weakness in your face. Confusion or any other new neurologic symptom with it also calls for emergency care. Bleeding from the ear or clear fluid draining from it after a head injury needs urgent care, too. [1, 2]

What to ask about your ears

  1. Is the hearing loss in my outer or middle ear, or in my inner ear?
  2. When can I get an audiogram and see a specialist?
  3. How much should my hearing improve, and when should it be tested again?

Get a dated hearing test on record

Ask for a hearing test with a date on it. Don’t rely on your memory of how each ear sounds. [1, 2]

Sources and further reading

  1. 1American Academy of Otolaryngology, red flags warning of ear disease
  2. 2American Academy of Otolaryngology, sudden hearing loss guideline summary

General information from ear, nose and throat medicine and audiology. An injury can affect hearing in several ways. Treatment depends on where the damage is, so don’t guess the cause from your symptoms alone.

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