Inner Ear Injuries and Bicycle Crashes
When you think about bicycle crashes, you might think about broken bones, fractured clavicles, or traumatic brain injuries. These are by far the most common injuries, but other damages, like ones that occur in the inner ear, can be consequential and significantly alter quality of life.
Damage to the inner ear can occur in a number of ways, and vary in severity. It’s important to know what to look for and when to seek medical attention. The inner ear has important duties in the body and taking care of the ear is particularly important for cyclists.
Inner ear function
The inner ear, also called the internal ear, auris interna, and the labyrinth, has two important jobs: helping you hear and keep your balance. The latter is what makes cycling possible. Without proper function of the inner ear, remaining stable on a bicycle is much more difficult and dizzying.
You’ll find the inner ear on each side of the head, tucked into a cavity at the end of the ear tube. It consists of three parts:
- Cochlea – This is responsible for changing sound waves into nerve signals and makes hearing possible.
- Semicircular canals – This is what the body uses to sense balance and helps with maintaining equilibrium.
- Vestibule – Also helpful for equilibrium, this area sits between the cochlea and the semicircular canal.
While all of these parts are attached, the cochlea and the balance-sensing parts of the inner ear operate separately. The vestibule and the three loop-shaped semicircular canals, which are filled with fluid and lined with fine hair, are equipped to keep your equilibrium.
If you’re feeling dizzy, it’s often because the fluid in the semicircular canals takes some time to stop moving. When the movement of the fluid stops, you’ll start feeling normal again. Proper function of the inner ear can be altered in various ways, from trauma to infection.
Inner ear trauma
Like a lot of other parts of the body, the inner ear can suffer trauma and injury as a result of a bicycle crash. This might cause hearing loss or balance issues, both of which can either be temporary or, in some cases, permanent.
Falls, loud noises, changes in pressure, foreign objects in the ear, and more can all contribute to an inner ear injury. For cyclists, a head injury might result in inner ear injuries.
For example, a bicycle crash resulting in a bone fracture near the ear may cause balance or hearing problems. In an ossicular dislocation, the three hearing bones become misaligned due to trauma and disrupt the ability to hear clearly. Surgery may be an option for some patients, but others might need a hearing aid.
Likewise, a temporal bone fracture can create many problems for cyclists. If a fracture has occurred, which can be identified through a CT scan, a person might experience dizziness, hearing issues, and even facial paralysis due to nerve damage.
Symptoms to watch
On the surface, it might seem difficult to determine what is or is not an inner ear injury right after a bicycle accident. Dizziness, ringing ears, and other symptoms may seem a normal response to a traumatic event, but they can also be serious and worth seeing a doctor.
Here’s what to pay attention to in the hours and days following a crash:
- Pain – if you’re experiencing pain in or around the ear, seek out medical advice
- Drainage – this might signal an eardrum rupture or another serious problem
- Hearing loss – it’s important to treat this symptom as early as possible to achieve the best possible outcome
- Ringing or buzzing sounds – this may be the result of a number of different injuries and may accompany other symptoms
- Dizziness – Even if you’re not feeling pain or experiencing hearing loss, dizziness is a common sign that something is wrong with the inner ear. When this symptom persists, contact a healthcare professional.
It’s difficult to tell whether a symptom will resolve on its own or what exactly is causing it. Some inner ear injuries are the result of trauma to the head and involve a broken or fractured bone, while others are less obvious. A doctor will be able to determine if surgery is required, if long term solutions are needed, or if the problem will resolve with time.
Compensation for inner ear injuries
Under California law, injured cyclists are entitled to compensation when an injury occurs and a negligent driver is at fault. An inner ear injury can prompt expensive medical bills, lost wages, and other economic damages. These injuries can also diminish lifestyle and cause emotional distress.
Balance issues or hearing loss don’t just affect one’s ability to ride a bike, they can have significant impact on everyday activities. If you’re experiencing inner ear issues after a crash, Bay Area Bike Law attorneys can work with you to assess the compensation due for your injury.
Bicycle cases can be nuanced and specific, which is why it is valuable to seek out a specialized team like ours. To request a free consultation, call (415) 466-8717.