The leading causes of concussions in the Tucson, Arizona area are contact sports, car crashes and falls. This type of traumatic brain injury is caused by a sudden acceleration or deceleration to the head. Those who experience a brain injury often experience headaches, dizziness, temporary loss of consciousness, confusion, fatigue and vomiting.
A common side effect that is typically left off the list of symptoms is hearing loss. The force required to produce a brain injury can also cause damage to the tiny bones within the middle ear. It can also fracture bones in the inner ear or cochlea. Hearing loss can even be caused by an injury to a specific part of the brain, which is used to process sound.
After a concussion occurs a series of tests must be performed:
- Neurological evaluations are used to measure your sensory and motor responses. This includes your vision, hearing, balance and coordination.
- Cognitive tests are used to evaluate your ability to think.
- Imaging tests, such as cranial computerized tomography (CT) or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are used to confirm if the concussion caused any physical injuries or bleeding inside the skull.
A simple observation is also performed. This should be completed for at least 24 hours after the event and can be performed in a hospital setting or in the comfort of your own home. This period is used to monitor your symptoms to make sure they do not get any worse.
The most common treatment for a concussion is rest. It is important to avoid physical activity, especially anything that could cause additional head injuries. While rest will help with most symptoms, hearing loss will need an additional treatment.
In order to determine the correct treatment for your hearing loss, schedule an appointment with your Tucson audiologist. They will perform a series of tests in order to confirm your type and degree of hearing loss. The most common treatment for hearing loss is use of a hearing aid. While there are a number of different models and styles to choose from, your Tucson audiologist will work with you to determine the best one for your individual hearing loss.
While this can be a daunting and complicated process, your Tucson audiologist will be there every step of the way.