Hearing impairment after an accident can lead to mild hearing loss or even total deafness. Tinnitus, also known as ringing in the ears, is a common and often burdensome complaint that can significantly affect daily life.
Different Forms of Hearing Damage
Hearing problems due to an accident can arise in multiple ways.
Categories of Hearing Loss
| Type | Cause | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Conductive loss | Damage to eardrum or ossicles | In some cases surgically treatable |
| Sensorineural loss | Damage to cochlea or nerves | Almost always permanent |
| Mixed loss | Combination of the above | Partially recoverable |
| Central loss | Brain damage | Problems with sound processing |
Causes in Accidents
- Blast trauma: explosions, airbags or gunshots
- Head injury: hard blow to the head
- Barotrauma: pressure differences from diving or flying
- Whiplash: indirect damage from neck injury
- Occupational risk: prolonged exposure to loud noises
Tinnitus: An Invisible Burden
Tinnitus is the perception of sounds without an external source. This can be very restrictive for daily life.
Symptoms of Tinnitus
Experience and Complaints
- A beep, hiss, hum or noise in the ears
- Constant or intermittent
- Worsens in silence or under stress
- Problems sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feelings of anxiety or depression
Severity of Tinnitus
| Level | Description | Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Mild | Only noticeable in quiet environments | No major hindrance |
| Moderate | Regularly disruptive | Occasional loss of concentration |
| Severe | Continuously bothersome | Problems with sleep and focus |
| Very severe | Very restrictive | Inability to work, depressive symptoms |
Diagnosis of Hearing Problems
Hearing loss is objectively established by specialists such as an ENT specialist or audiologist in the Rijswijk region.
Diagnostic Tests
- Audiogram: measurement of hearing per frequency
- Speech audiogram: understanding of spoken words
- Tympanometry: check of middle ear function
- OAE test: hair cell function
- BERA test: auditory nerve check
Treatment Options and Support
The treatment depends on the nature and severity of the hearing loss.
Treatments and Aids
| Option | Suitable for | Price Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Hearing aid | Moderate to severe loss | €500 - €3,000 per device |
| BAHA (bone-anchored) | Conductive problems | €5,000 - €10,000 |
| Cochlear implant | Severe deafness | €25,000 - €50,000 |
| Tinnitus therapy | Ringing in the ears | €1,000 - €3,000 |
| Sign language training | Total deafness | Course costs |
Impact on Daily Life
Hearing loss and tinnitus significantly affect functioning, especially in a busy environment like Rijswijk.
Limitations
- Difficulty having conversations in noise
- Social withdrawal due to communication problems
- Telephoning becomes difficult
- Safety risks in traffic or with alarm signals
- Sleep and focus problems due to tinnitus
- Fatigue due to increased listening effort
Compensation and Legal Assistance in Rijswijk
In case of hearing damage due to an accident, you can claim various forms of compensation. The Juridisch Loket Rijswijk can support you in this.
Pain and Suffering Indications
| Type of Injury | Pain and Suffering Indication |
|---|---|
| Mild loss one ear | €5,000 - €15,000 |
| Severe loss one ear | €20,000 - €35,000 |
| Deafness one ear | €30,000 - €45,000 |
| Severe loss both ears | €50,000 - €100,000 |
| Total deafness | €100,000 - €175,000 |
| Severe tinnitus | €15,000 - €50,000 |
Other Compensations
- Costs for hearing aids (lifelong)
- Loss of income due to disability
- Home adaptations (e.g. signaling equipment)
- Costs for sign language education
Advice for Hearing Damage in Rijswijk
- Have your hearing checked immediately by an ENT specialist
- Request an audiogram as a baseline
- Keep a diary of the impact of tinnitus
- Seek suitable tinnitus treatments
- Contact a personal injury lawyer via the Juridisch Loket Rijswijk