Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are very common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 1.7 million people suffer from a TBI every year. There are an estimated 5.3 million people currently living with a brain injury. If the brain injury occurs in an area of the brain that impacts speech and language, aphasia can occur.
Brain injuries are most common in adolescents and older adults. They are also more common in males than females. The number of TBIs each year has been steadily rising. However, deaths due to TBI are falling. Because of this, there are more people living with brain injuries.
A brain injury is most often caused by direct head trauma, such as a car accident or a severe fall. A penetrating TBI can occur in the case of a gunshot wound or other injuries that compromise the outer layer of the brain. The injury can be classified as either mild, moderate, or severe.