Doctors and researchers are always learning new things about how the brain and other parts of the body are affected by concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). In addition to cognitive and neurological problems, they can cause mental and emotional issues.
Sensory complications can also be a problem. People can become highly sensitive to light and sound. Researchers have also been studying the effect of a concussion on someone’s ability to process sensory input – specifically auditory information.
Some people who have suffered concussions may develop problems recognizing speech – particularly if there is another noise in the background. For example, they may not be able to recognize that someone is speaking to them if they’re in a room with loud music.
The problem isn’t limited to those whose concussions involved explosives
This issue has been found to be most prevalent among members of the military whose concussions involved a bomb or other explosive device. However, researchers are also studying athletes after concussions.
As one neurobiology professor explains, sound processing starts with nerve cells in our inner ear. They turn waves into electrical signals that the brain has to transform into recognizable sounds. She notes, “Making sense of sound is one of the hardest jobs that we ask our brains to do.” A concussion or other TBI can disrupt how that job is done.
It’s crucial to get medical care after a fall, a car crash or any incident where the head strikes or is struck by an object or is shaken abruptly back and forth. The sooner a concussion is diagnosed, the sooner proper care and treatment can begin.
However, it can take some time to determine all the ways in which a concussion affects a person. If someone is not able to recognize speech in a loud environment, that can prove dangerous if they work in a factory or any number of other workplaces. It’s crucial to determine all the ways in which an injury will impact your life in the short term and long term before reaching a settlement for compensation for your injuries if they were caused by someone else’s actions or negligence.
