Skip main navigation

Military Health System

Hurricane Milton & Hurricane Helene

Emergency procedures are in place in multiple states due to Hurricane Milton & Hurricane Helene. >>Learn More

Ask the Doc: Can a Concussion Affect Hearing and Vision?

Image of Ask the Doc: Can a Concussion Affect Hearing and Vision?. Ask the Doc: Can a Concussion Affect Hearing and Vision?

Dear Doc: A few weeks ago, I fell and hit my head but didn't think much about it.

Afterwards, I started to get terrible headaches. Then, I started to have blurry vision and ringing in my ears.

When I finally went to the doctor, she told me I had a concussion.

I didn't know concussions could affect hearing and vision. Is it typical to have hearing and vision problems from a concussion?

Thanks in advance doc!

-Army Spc. Sandra Headstone


Illustration of a male face with the words "Ask the Doc"Dear My Head Hurts: First, let me say I feel your pain, no matter how you hit your head or were jolted.

Concussions can cause a variety of brain-related issues, including vision and hearing problems. They are classified as a mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

I found the perfect people to talk about this. I contacted Dr. Amy Boudin-George, an audiologist and acting section lead at the Hearing Center of Excellence's clinical care, rehabilitation, and restoration section. HCE also provided me with Dr. Karen Lambert, clinical physical therapist, HCE vestibular program manager.

I also contacted Dr. Felix Barker, the associate director for research at the Vision Center of Excellence. He is the director of rehabilitation and reintegration.

Here's what they said:


It is not uncommon to have hearing, vision, and balance related symptoms after a concussion.

Symptoms can vary during the acute phase (right after a concussion) from person to person.

The good news is that the typical headache and other symptoms from a concussion can resolve completely on their own over time.

Try to maintain an upbeat outlook and expect a full recovery from your concussion. Studies have shown those attitudes to be the greatest influences on positive outcomes.

If you feel you are not improving on a day-to-day basis, it might help to have your symptoms further evaluated by a provider who specializes in concussion assessment.

Sensitivity to light, blurry vision that comes and goes, double vision, and difficulty reading are post-concussion vision problems that can happen. Headaches with visual tasks, reduction or loss of visual field, and difficulties with eye movements also may happen.

If these seem to persist, you are very likely to benefit by seeing your optometrist or ophthalmologist for both immediate and longer term management of your vision problems.

The same is true for ringing in the ears.

You may have experienced damage to the structure and function of your ear, and you might have changes in the way your brain processes hearing. This depends on the nature of the injury.

If you have ringing in your ears that lasts longer than a few weeks and is constant, or you also seem to have some hearing loss, it is a good idea to see an audiologist for a hearing assessment.

If you are having problems with dizziness, get an examination by an audiologist, optometrist or physical therapist that specializes in assessment of the vestibular system (your inner ear's balance and gaze stability system). This may help you find your path to recovery.


Spc. Headstone, I hope you got some positive answers from our experts. Remember, for the most part, concussions get better on their own as long as you can stand the temporary side effects. But don't ignore those symptoms if they don't go away. Seek help from specialized health care professionals who have your hearing and vision at heart.

Also, be careful when outside and wear a helmet and other protective gear if it fits the activity. Concussions not only can happen at home from a fall or bump of the head, but also from sports and military training.

If you feel unwell after a fall or jolt, don't wait to get help.

Good luck my friend and as always…take care out there!

You also may be interested in...

Video
Jun 28, 2024

Assessing Information: Assistive Technology for People experiencing Vision Loss (audio description)

AT

This video will introduce you to how people with blindness or low vision can access information and be productive using assistive technology; and will present different types of software, specialized devices, and widely available options that may help them access information to be productive and efficient, and get back doing the things they want to do.

Publication
Jun 28, 2024

2024 TBICoE Quarterly Education Series Schedule

.PDF | 216.89 KB

Save the dates with a complete 2024 schedule of the Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence's Quarterly Education Series. The QES is an enterprise-wide learning opportunity for Military Health System stakeholders. Since inception, the QES provides trainings and education events that are relevant to the MHS, discussing specialty topics and current ...

Technical Document
Jun 19, 2024

DHA Practice Recommendation Post Concussion and mTBI

.PDF | 2.98 MB

This Practice Recommendation helps eye care providers. It helps them diagnose and treat patients of all ages with vision and eye movement problems after a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). It includes: A questionnaire about concussion/mTBI history*. Recommended steps for diagnosis and treatment. Tips for rehabilitation and referral ...

Clinical Practice Guideline
Jun 1, 2024

VA_DOD_Tinnitus_CPG

This CPG provides an evidence-based framework for evaluating and managing care for adults with bothersome tinnitus toward improving clinical outcomes.

Video
May 31, 2024

What is a Hearing Fit Test?

What is a Hearing Fit Test?

Fit testing is where we take measurements without hearing protection and then take measurements again with hearing protection to measure how much attenuation of noise the earplugs, earmuffs or ear protectors are actually providing. Learn more about the Hearing Center of Excellence at health.mil/HCE

Article Around MHS
May 23, 2024

U.S. Air Force Audiologists Transform Life Journeys into Expertise

Military audiologist gives exam

For U.S. Air Force Capt. Emily Lee and U.S. Air Force Capt. Jacqueline Anderson, life experiences highlighting the significance of being able to hear—one of the five senses many people may take for granted—led them to their current roles as audiologists at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

Article
May 15, 2024

Boothless Audio Testing Helps Military Hearing Experts Advance Science While Improving Force Readiness

Boothless Audio Testing Helps Military Hearing Experts Advance Science While Improving Force Readiness

Hearing problems—such as hearing loss and tinnitus, a ringing or buzzing in the ears—are the leading conditions for service-connected disability compensation. To prevent these conditions, the military requires routine hearing readiness testing which has been limited by the use of specialized booths. To increase testing ability, military audiology ...

Skip subpage navigation
Refine your search
Last Updated: September 06, 2023
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on X Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery