North Shore Audio-Vestibular Lab| (847) 737-4270| http://nsavl.com

Discover more great content here: http://twitter.com/hearingaidsil

http://www.youtube.com/user/nsavl

http://www.facebook.com/nsavl http://www.pinterest.com/nsavl/

These Five Facts on Veterans and Hearing Loss May Shock

You

When considering post-combat injuries

in veterans, PTSD, missing limbs, and

brain damage may come to mind.

Hearing loss, though, may not often

come to mind. These 5 facts about

veterans and hearing loss may surprise

you.

The most common post-service malady happens to be hearing damage or

loss. – Hearing loss, as the most ubiquitous veteran injury, is followed in

numbers by PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Severe hearing loss is

commonly caused by bomb detonations and general military and combat

noise. The deafening sounds of tank, plane, and ship engines contributes to

temporary to permanent hearing loss and tinnitus, as do explosive devices

and other loud weapons. Veterans of the post-9/11 conflicts are the most

affected population in terms of hearing loss. In fact, 414,000 post 9/11

soldiers have come home with some form of tinnitus or hearing loss.

Veterans have been found to be more susceptible to loss of hearing than

those who haven’t served in the military. – According to the Center for

Disease Control, post-combat soldiers are 30 percent more likely to have

severe hearing impairment than nonveterans. Additionally, post-911 soldiers

were actually four times more likely to lose their hearing than civilians.

Hearing loss may be more prevalent now than it was for soldiers in the

past. – Larger and louder weapons technology very likely contributes to

higher numbers of veterans with hearing loss. Field generators, “bunker

buster” bombs, and loud transportation such as helicopters can be

deafening.

North Shore Audio-Vestibular Lab| (847) 737-4270| http://nsavl.com

Discover more great content here: http://twitter.com/hearingaidsil

http://www.youtube.com/user/nsavl

http://www.facebook.com/nsavl http://www.pinterest.com/nsavl/

Only a small number of soldiers returning home with damaged hearing

actually get medical attention right away. – According to experts, many

soldiers with hearing loss or tinnitus choose to live with the problem, rather

than getting help. Incredibly, the average time between someone noticing

hearing damage and getting help for it is 7 years.

Neuroscience innovations may be a way to alleviate severe tinnitus. –

While there is no cure for tinnitus, some scientists believe there is a

correlation between serotonin depletion (which can lead to depression,

anxiety, and insomnia) and the severity of tinnitus. Fortunately, with the

help of tinnitus therapies and antidepressants, some veterans have found

relief from severe tinnitus.