People who have experienced a traumatic brain injury often suffer from sensory problems as a result of the injury. Sensory issues are any issue related to seeing, hearing, feeling, or smelling. These problems can be relatively mild and can improve over time, or they can be more severe, long-term problems.
Types of Sensory Problems
Vision problems are the most common sensory problems experienced by brain injury survivors. Patients may take extra time recognizing objects, and may not be able to register what they are seeing. Other sensory issues that result from traumatic brain injury include:
- Problems with hand-eye coordination
- Unsteadiness, bumping into objects
- Difficulty driving, operating machinery, or playing sports
- Ringing or roaring in the ears
- Bitter taste in the mouth
- Perceived odors or bad smells
- Persistent skin tingling, itching, or pain
Treatment for Sensory Problems
Rehabilitation is an important part of the recovery process for the traumatic brain injury patient, and each treatment plan will differ based on the patient’s individual needs. Treatment may consist of rehabilitation designed to improve function, counseling designed to help the patient adapt, and medication.