Attention! Veterans, Do You Need Help with Your Hearing Loss?

U.S. veterans have made so many sacrifices to serve our country, including putting themselves in harm's way, experiencing long-term health problems, and not forgetting the emotional sacrifices that their families make. 

If you have a loved one who served in the military, your daily life may center around caregiving for an injured veteran. Although there are many noticeable injuries that veterans may have, a number of them experience hidden disabilities - which may include hearing loss. The Hearing Loss Association of America has indicated that the most common form of service-related disabilities in the U.S. are hearing impairments. Nearly 2.7 million veterans receive compensation for their disability or treatment for their hearing problems. This is why people need to learn how to help veterans. 

1. Identify signs of hearing loss in veterans

For the average person, hearing loss occurs slowly as they age. In the case of active-duty members, hearing loss or tinnitus can occur due to noise-induced hearing loss caused by a blast or any other loud noise. The ears are generally the first and most common organ that becomes impaired from an explosion. If you, or a loved one, has served in the armed forces, take note of any signs of hearing loss. This can be noticed immediately, or as a slow progression. Some signs might include: 

• Difficulty understanding speech sounds.
• Difficulty understanding someone during a conversation if there is too much background noise.
• Symptoms of tinnitus, which may include hearing a beeping, buzzing, or chirping sound in the ear when there’s no outer source. 
• Feelings of fullness in the ear(s), as though you are underwater.
• Raising the volume level on your TV, stereo, or any electronic device that you listen to until it reaches volumes that are too loud for a person who has healthy hearing abilities.

2. What are some hearing loss treatments that are available for veterans? 

U.S. veterans can rely on the Veterans Affairs medical program. It includes hearing care and provides coverage for hearing aids. 

3. Helping active duty members prevent hearing loss

It’s impossible to change any past exposures to loud noises, but the Department of Defense has a Hearing Center of Excellence (HCE) that concentrates on preventative care, diagnosis, and treating hearing loss and injury to your auditory system. In 2018, a new app was released that includes a course on how to reduce hearing loss in military service members. The HCE has several hearing-related resources to educate military personnel and veterans. 

4. Are you a caregiver who needs hearing care?  

If you take care of a veteran, even if you have not been an active duty member, you may experience hearing loss for a different reason. As a caregiver, you need to be able to hear well to provide the best assistance for a loved one. Hearing important medical information from professional healthcare providers is necessary for properly caring for your loved one.  

If you are a veteran, today, and every day, we thank you for your service. 

Contact us to schedule an appointment at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation with one of our hearing instrument specialists.

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