Can a Traumatic Brain Injury Lead to Hearing or Vision Loss?

Traumatic brain injuries are common consequences of accidents like car crashes. But what exactly can these injuries do to a person, and how can they change their life? Perhaps after the injury, they can’t hear like they used to. Sounds are muffled. Or gone. Or their vision blurs. Lights sting.  And reading becomes a struggle.

When the brain gets injured, your senses can suffer. Hearing. Sight. Both. It’s a real, life-altering condition, and one a brain injury lawyer can help you understand, navigate, and fight for compensation for. Let’s talk about how it may occur and what you can do about it if it’s happening to you.

When a brain injury steals your senses

We often think of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) as memory problems, dizziness, or headaches. But there’s more to it. The brain is command central for everything, including how we hear and see.

Damage to the temporal lobe can disrupt your ability to process sound. Injury to the occipital lobe might permanently affect your vision. And if the trauma impacts certain cranial nerves, other sensory problems may follow.

TBI-related complications can include hearing loss, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and extreme sound sensitivity. On the visual side, you might experience blurred or double vision, loss of depth perception, difficulty reading or tracking movement, or light sensitivity. These effects aren’t always immediate. Sometimes they appear days or weeks after the injury, which is why so many people delay getting medical help or filing a claim.

Signs you shouldn’t ignore

If your hearing or vision has changed after a head injury, pay attention to the signs. Common symptoms include:

• Hearing muffled or “distant”
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Trouble understanding speech, especially in noisy spaces
• Blurry or double vision
• Trouble tracking objects or reading
• Sensitivity to light or sound

Are you saying “What?” more often, even in quiet rooms? Do people sound like they’re speaking through a wall? Does music or TV seem distorted?

On the visual side, maybe it’s harder to see at night. Maybe reading gives you headaches, or bright lights suddenly feel unbearable. You might find yourself avoiding crowds or struggling to focus on moving objects.

If any of that sounds familiar, you could be dealing with more than a temporary symptom. This isn’t just about your ears or your eyes. It’s about your brain—and that makes it serious.

Why seeing a doctor right away matters

The tricky thing about brain injuries is that they’re invisible. There’s no cast, no sling, no stitches. But the damage can be long-lasting, and in many cases, permanent.

That’s why seeing a specialist is critical. Not just your regular doctor. You may need a neurologist, neuro-ophthalmologist, or ENT. These professionals can run scans, perform hearing or vision tests, and get to the root of the problem.

Early diagnosis can make a huge difference in your recovery. It also strengthens your legal case. If you’re considering a lawsuit or trying to get insurance to pay your medical bills, you’ll need official documentation. Without it, your story might not be enough.

Long-term impact: It’s not just about the injury

Losing part of your hearing or vision isn’t just a physical injury—it’s a life change. Suddenly, work becomes harder or even impossible. Driving might no longer be safe. Simple social interactions can become exhausting or anxiety-inducing. Reading, watching TV, and even going for a walk might feel overwhelming.

This kind of sensory loss can affect every corner of your life, from your job to your relationships to your mental health. That’s why legal compensation needs to account for more than just your hospital bills. You may be entitled to damages for future medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, assistive devices, therapy, and emotional distress. A skilled brain injury lawyer can help you pursue a claim that reflects the full scope of your loss.

Can you sue for TBI-related hearing or vision loss?

In many cases, yes. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, they may be legally responsible.

This includes car accidents, slips and falls, physical assaults, construction or workplace accidents, and injuries caused by defective equipment. In North Dakota, these incidents are usually covered under personal injury law. You don’t need to prove that someone intended to harm you, only that their actions (or failure to act) led to your injury.

It could be a distracted driver, a business that didn’t fix a known hazard, or an employer that didn’t follow safety protocols. If your hearing or vision problems are linked to that injury, you may be eligible for compensation.

How a brain injury lawyer can help

TBI cases involving hearing or vision loss can be complex. They often involve multiple specialists, extensive documentation, and expert witnesses. This isn’t a case you want to handle on your own.

Any experienced brain injury lawyer will gather your medical records, bring in expert testimony, and preserve evidence from the incident. They can work to connect the dots between your injury and the long-term sensory issues. More importantly, they can calculate not just what you’ve already lost, but what you may lose in the future.

Your attorney can negotiate with insurance companies, prepare your case for trial if necessary, and fight to make sure your life and injuries are fully recognized by the legal system. In North Dakota, where legal processes can be particularly demanding, having the right lawyer matters.

Don’t wait for North Dakota’s statute of limitations to expire

In North Dakota, you have six years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (N.D. Cent. Code § 28-01-16). That sounds like a long time, but it goes by fast—especially when you’re focused on recovery.

Evidence can disappear. Medical records can get lost. Witnesses may move or forget details. The sooner you act, the better your chances of building a strong case.

You don’t have to face this alone

Brain injuries with hearing or vision loss aren’t just painful—they’re confusing, frustrating, and deeply personal. Maybe you’re still trying to get a diagnosis. Maybe the bills are piling up, or you’ve already missed work. You don’t have to fight this battle by yourself. And you don’t have to settle for less than what you’re owed.

Let us help you move forward

At Larson Law Injury & Accident Lawyers, we’ve helped individuals across North Dakota navigate the devastating impact of traumatic brain injuries. Hearing loss. Vision problems. Emotional trauma. We know what you’re up against, and we’re ready to fight for you.

Whether you’re in Fargo, Minot, Bismarck, or beyond, our experienced brain injury lawyers are here to guide you through the process and stand up for what’s fair. Call our office or fill out our contact form today to schedule a free consultation.

Because you shouldn’t have to suffer in silence. And you don’t have to face this in the dark.