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Loss of Hearing

Auditory or hearing loss can also have a significant impact on the life of a plaintiff. Experts categorize hearing losses as either conduction, sensorineural, combination and external ear. A conduction loss usually involves the outer, middle ear or both. It does not involve the inner ear. These can be caused by a foreign body being inserted in the ear or from trauma to the tympatic membrane or infections. Surgery or antibiotics are usually the treatment of choice. Sensorineural loss usually results from a disease of the inner ear and therefore is usually not an element of damage in an automobile accident case. A combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss is possible and if it can be traced to an accident it can be part of the damage claim. External ear hearing loss problems can be cause by trauma. Treatment can be by antibiotics or surgery, depending on each case.

Hearing loss that affects learning at a young age can be particularly problematical. It can affect the entire life of the minor. In an adult, if hearing is an integral part of the person's employment, the consequences of hearing loss can be very devastating. Indeed, such loss could prevent the learning of new vocational skills thereby causing significant loss of earning capacity.

Finally, hearing loss can cause significant psychological damage to an individual as well. Some people do not want to wear a hearing aid, assuming such a device would even be helpful. The ability to communicate is effected which can be embarrassing. The cure for any hearing loss can be very expensive and should be included in any damage assessment.