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A head injury could impact your speech

On Behalf of | Feb 27, 2023 | Car Accidents |

Typically, humans learn to speak and understand their native language from a very young age. By the time they reach adulthood, talking and understanding speech almost seems automatic. However, this is far from the case. The reality is that the brain is doing a lot of work behind the scenes in terms of deciphering and producing language. 

One of the most serious types of injuries that can be suffered during a road traffic collision is head trauma. If the brain is injured then this can have a significant impact on speech and communication. Outlined below are some of the more common conditions associated with this. 

Dysarthria is common with head injuries

There are numerous components involved in the process of speaking. Firstly, the brain plays a role in comprehending language and producing coherent sentences. The muscles in the nose, tongue, throat and lips carry out the physical aspect of talking. They produce the sounds required. 

If the motor cortex, brain stem or basal ganglia sections of the brain are damaged after head trauma, then the physical aspect of talking can become difficult. The muscles will not work the same as they did before. Recovery from such injuries depends on the extent of the damage, but in serious cases, the effect on speech can be permanent. 

Aphasia is another common consequence

As stated, there is also a cognitive aspect to speech and communication. Sometimes, the muscles involved in speech can be fine after an accident, but the areas involved in speech comprehension can be damaged. This can lead to a condition known as aphasia, which makes language comprehension difficult. 

Permanent speech impediments can completely change your life. Even temporary impairments can take time to recover from. If you were hurt because of another driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Seek legal guidance to find out more about your options.

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