Did you know that hearing related issues are the most common health conditions veterans experience? Veterans are up to four times more likely to experience hearing loss compared to non-veterans. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), nearly 3 million veterans receive disability benefits for hearing loss or tinnitus. Tinnitus is a ringing or buzzing like noise in one or both ears. It is typically caused by hearing loss but can also occur without underlying hearing loss. Hearing loss reduces a person’s capacity to hear and process speech as well as sound. This strains communication which can also take a toll on relationships, social life, and increase health risks.
If you or a loved one is a veteran, it is important to prioritize your hearing health. There is a wide range of hearing healthcare services, resources, and solutions that support hearing health. Treatment not only transforms hearing but also enhances quality of life and wellness.
Noise Induced Hearing Loss & Veterans
Veterans are disproportionately impacted by hearing loss due to exposure to loud noise. One time or consistent exposure to loud noise can cause noise induced hearing loss. Loud noise is considered sound that is above 85 decibels (dB). For reference, this is equivalent to busy city traffic or a hair dryer. Veterans are often regularly exposed to sounds that significantly exceed 85dB. Examples include: using heavy machinery, operating aircrafts and tanks, exposure to gunfire and bombs etc.
Exposure to loud noise can damage the sensory cells in the inner ear. There are thousands of sensory cells in the cochlea which play a major role in how sound is processed. These cells convert incoming soundwaves into electrical signals which get carried to the brain. The brain is then able to further process and assign meaning to these signals which allows us to understand what we hear. Loud noise can desensitize and weaken sensory cells, reducing their ability to effectively process incoming soundwaves. These cells do not regenerate and there is no medical intervention that can repair damage to them. This means that the damage is permanent, resulting in chronic hearing loss.
Accessing VA Benefits
Receiving hearing healthcare treatment is especially important for veterans who experience a much higher risk of developing hearing loss. It is important to know about how you can access hearing healthcare services. The VA offers ways you can access hearing healthcare including:
- Health benefits: this includes low-cost to free hearing healthcare services like comprehensive testing and hearing aids.
- Disability compensation: this comes in the form of monthly tax free payments which can be used to cover healthcare expenses.
Be sure to enroll yourself in the VA health benefits system which you can do online, over the phone, or by visiting your local VA office.
Treating Hearing Loss
The first step towards treatment is having your hearing assessed by a hearing healthcare specialist. Hearing tests involve a painless process that measures your hearing capacities in both ears. This identifies any hearing loss present as well as the degree of impairment in each ear. Once your hearing needs are established, your hearing healthcare provider is able to tailor treatment to meet your specific needs.
Hearing aids are the most common treatment for hearing loss. These are electronic devices that are designed to absorb, amplify, and process speech as well as sound. Hearing aids provide the ears and brain with ample support which alleviates symptoms and maximize hearing capacity. Today’s hearing aids are more innovative than ever before. There is a wide range of styles, technologies, and features that are designed to create optimal hearing experiences in everyday life. With numerous options, your hearing healthcare provider will recommend devices that would best meet your needs and preferences.
Tips to Protect Hearing Health
In addition to treating hearing loss, there are several tips you can practice to protect your hearing health. This includes:
- Wearing protective gear: this includes earplugs or headphones which provide the ears with a physical barrier, reducing the amount of loud noise you absorb.
- Take listening breaks: take listening breaks throughout the day which give your ears and brain with time to rest and recuperate from constantly absorbing and processing sound.
- Hearing tests: integrate a hearing test in your annual health check-ins which allows you to monitor and stay on top of your hearing health.
Contact us to learn more about how you can protect your hearing health and to schedule an appointment for a hearing test!