People often don’t realize just how much the brain affects everything we do until they suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Depending on what part of the brain is injured, a person can suffer sensory, cognitive, neurological, behavioral and other issues. Some are temporary, while others may be long-term or even permanent.
Some survivors of TBIs suffer a complication that makes it difficult to process auditory information – in other words, to recognize speech. That’s especially a problem when there’s a lot of background noise. For example, someone who works in a factory may be able to hear that someone is speaking to them, but not be able to recognize the words. This can happen in social situations as well, like at a noisy party, restaurant or bar.
An injury can “disrupt sound processing”
This problem is most common when the TBI was caused by an explosion – for example, on a battlefield or in a work-related incident. However, researchers have also studied people who have suffered concussions in other ways.
One neurobiology professor explains, “Making sense of sound [as it moves from the ear to the brain] is one of the hardest jobs that we ask our brains to do. So you can imagine that a concussion, getting hit in the head, really does disrupt sound processing.”
If you’re recovering from a TBI suffered in a crash caused by another driver, it’s important not to accept a settlement until you know just how it will affect your ability to work, go to school or do whatever you need to do as you begin to get on with your life. Having experienced legal guidance can help ensure that you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
