Hearing damage 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.
What is hearing damage?
Hearing loss can arise in various ways from an accident, with different causes and consequences.
Different types of hearing loss
| Type | Cause | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Conductive loss | Damage to eardrum or ossicles | Sometimes treatable with surgery |
| Sensorineural loss | Damage to cochlea or nerve | Often permanent |
| Mixed loss | Combination of the above | Partially recoverable |
| Central loss | Damage to brain | Problems with sound processing |
Causes in accidents
- Blast trauma: explosions, airbags or gunshots
- Head injury: blow to the head
- Barotrauma: pressure changes (e.g. diving)
- Whiplash: indirect damage from neck injury
- Occupational damage: chronic exposure to noise
Tinnitus: An invisible burden
Tinnitus is the perception of sounds without an external source present. This can have a tremendous impact on well-being.
Symptoms of tinnitus
Effects and experiences
- A ringing, buzzing or humming in the ears
- Constant or intermittent
- Worsens in silence or under stress
- Disrupted sleep
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feelings of anxiety or depression
How severe is tinnitus?
| Level | Description | Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Mild | Only noticeable at rest | Little hindrance |
| Moderate | Regularly disruptive | Occasional focus problems |
| Severe | Always present and disruptive | Problems with sleep and concentration |
| Very severe | Extremely burdensome | Work disability, depressive symptoms |
Making a diagnosis
An ENT specialist or audiologist can objectively diagnose hearing loss using specific tests.
Diagnostic methods
- Audiogram: measurement of hearing per frequency
- Speech audiogram: assessment of speech understanding
- Tympanometry: check of middle ear function
- OAE test: function of hair cells
- BERA test: function of the auditory nerve
Treatments and support
Treatment options vary depending on the nature and severity of the hearing loss.
Treatment options
| Type of treatment | Application | 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 course | Deafness | Course costs |
Impact on life
Hearing loss and tinnitus often limit daily functioning and quality of life.
Limitations in daily life
- Problems with communication, especially in noise
- Social withdrawal due to difficulty with conversations
- Difficulty with telephoning
- Safety risks (e.g. in traffic)
- Sleep and concentration disorders due to tinnitus
- Extra fatigue due to listening effort
Compensation in Utrecht
In cases of hearing damage, various types of damage can be claimed, depending on the situation.
Non-pecuniary damage indications
| Type of injury | Non-pecuniary damage indication |
|---|---|
| Mild hearing loss (one ear) | €5,000 - €15,000 |
| Severe hearing loss (one ear) | €20,000 - €35,000 |
| Deafness (one ear) | €30,000 - €45,000 |
| Severe hearing loss (both ears) | €50,000 - €100,000 |
| Total deafness | €100,000 - €175,000 |
| Severe tinnitus | €15,000 - €50,000 |
Other heads of damage
- Costs for hearing aids (long-term)
- Loss of income due to work limitations
- Adaptations in the home (e.g. alarm systems)
- Costs for learning sign language
Practical advice in Utrecht
- Have your hearing checked immediately by an ENT specialist
- Request an audiogram as a baseline for later comparison
- Keep a diary about the impact of tinnitus
- Look for specialized tinnitus treatments
- Contact a personal injury lawyer in Utrecht
Legal assistance in Utrecht
For legal assistance, you can go to the Juridisch Loket Utrecht at Catharijnesingel 55. In addition, the District Court of Midden-Nederland, located at Vrouwe Justitiaplein 1, handles cases regarding personal injury and compensation.