Auditory Dysfunction After Head Trauma: Causes, Evaluation, and Treatment

Hearing loss after traumatic brain injury is common but often overlooked. This article reviews the etiology, pathophysiology, treatment methods, and outcomes for patients with hearing loss after traumatic brain injury.

Common symptoms after TBI include hearing loss, tinnitus, hyperacusis, and dizziness. Recent literature has shown that debilitating auditory dysfunction can manifest even after mild head trauma.

There is a wide range of otologic pathologies that can occur after head trauma. All etiologies can lead to auditory dysfunction which in some cases may be permanent.