A woman who lost her hearing in a car accident is taking legal action against the driver of the other vehicle. Paige Elliott, 26, from Kinglassie, Fife, was a passenger in a car driven by a relative in July 2024 when she claims they were rear-ended ‘at speed’ by a Land Rover.
The force of the impact allegedly damaged her cochlear implant, a device that had enabled her to hear since the age of two after being born deaf. Now, she has launched a civil action, stating the crash ‘upended’ her life.
Life Before and After the Crash
Ms Elliott said the implant gave her a chance at a ‘normal’ life, but since the accident, she has relied on her hearing aid dog, Fiji, and cannot speak on the phone or listen to music. ‘Physically and emotionally, the crash just completely upended my life,’ she said. ‘When I lost the implant it was terrifying – to suddenly be thrust back into a world of silence was jarring, scary and you feel incredibly alone.’
Injuries and Ongoing Issues
The accident caused soft tissue damage to her face and neck. She claims the impact made her head ricochet off the headrest, resulting in a concussion and dislodging her cochlear implant. ‘It was a few seconds after the crash that I realised something wasn’t right as I couldn’t hear people talking around me,’ she recalled.
Medics have implanted a new device, but she experiences issues believed to be due to internal scar tissue. ‘I can’t even hear fire alarms anymore and my grandfather’s voice now sounds like a woman’s voice which is unpleasant for us both,’ she added.
Legal Action
The amount Ms Elliott is suing for has not been disclosed. Ryan Smith, a partner at Digby Brown Solicitors, said: ‘We are committed to ensuring [Paige] gets the treatment and positive outcome she deserves.’
