Are veterans at higher risk for developing hearing loss?
The short answer—yes, serving your country may put you at increased risk of hearing loss. In fact, hearing-related injuries including tinnitus and hearing loss are the most common disabilities for veterans. An estimated 1.3 million veterans currently receive disability checks due to profound hearing loss, and another 2.3 million veterans receive compensation for disabling tinnitus, or ringing of the ears.
These statistics do not include the many with mild/ or moderate hearing loss or individuals who chose not to receive benefits.
Let’s explore why veterans are at higher risk for hearing loss and what’s being done about it.
How does military service increase hearing loss risk?
Numerous careers can increase a person’s risk of hearing loss. These include any occupation in which you’re exposed to loud noises like mining, steelwork, or even serving as a firefighter.
Individuals in military service certainly fall into the loud job category, as they experience sometimes daily exposure to the sounds of:
- Gunfire
- Jet engines
- Rockets
- Explosions
- Sirens
Servicemen and servicewomen must remain cautious, which includes listening to the environment around them. However, loud noise is not the only cause.
How jet fuel and hearing loss are linked
The relationship between veterans and hearing loss is complex. While exposure to loud sound is certainly a primary cause, one study found a disturbing connection between jet fuel and hearing loss.
With a rising number of pilots developing hearing loss, researchers decided to investigate, and they tested the effects of jet propulsion fuel-8 (JP-8), a kerosene-based fuel, on mice.
They mice were exposed to jet fuel fumes in combination with sound well below what would normally damage the hearing. It had immediate and long-term effects, as the mice had difficulty processing sounds in the brain.
When a chemical causes hearing loss, scientists call this ototoxicity. Soldiers may encounter not only jet fuel but also various other toxic chemicals, and further research is necessary to pinpoint the associated risks.
How does stress increase hearing loss risk?
The third significant challenge veterans encounter is stress. When deployed in a hazardous location, service members must remain consistently vigilant. The stress-inducing hormone adrenaline courses through their veins, leading to:
- Elevated blood pressure
- Disruption of deep, restful sleep
- Restricted blood circulation, especially to the ears
- Heightened mental anxiety
Extended periods of time in the hyper-stressed state can lead to hearing loss and tinnitus, along with anxiety and post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). Those last two often exacerbate tinnitus symptoms.
Alcohol and hearing loss
Furthermore, alcohol is an ototoxic substance. If individuals in the military consume alcohol excessively as a means of coping with stress, they are exacerbating the potential for hearing loss.
What is being done to protect service people?
The jet fuel study is just a single instance of researchers actively investigating hearing loss among military personnel. Their aim is to discern how our nation can improve in safeguarding these courageous men and women from enduring hearing impairment.
One such study took place in a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier off the coast of Japan. Dr. Karen Mumy was looking for ways to reduce noise exposure and save the hearing of the sailors stationed there.
Inside a lab, her team recreates the everyday sounds on the ship. They test how they affect the participants’ overall health, not only when it comes to hearing loss. She also wanted to better understand the mental toll that loud and unexpected sounds require.
Up to this point, Dr. Mumy has discovered outcomes comparable to the findings in the fuel study. The intense noises not only contribute to “conventional” hearing loss (resulting from damage to the small auditory nerves in the ears) but the sailors are also encountering auditory processing dysfunction. Prolonged exposure to loud noise is diminishing their brains’ capacity to process sound.
What can you do about military-related hearing loss?
First, if you are a Veteran, we extend our gratitude for your service. We acknowledge and appreciate the sacrifices you have made for your country, and hearing loss likely wasn’t one of the sacrifices you anticipated when enlisting.
Recognize that the military and scientific communities are collaborating to prevent similar challenges for future soldiers. Additionally, if you’re a veteran struggling with hearing loss, understand that it can and should be addressed.
Modern hearing aids go beyond simple sound amplification. They aid in the process of retraining your brain to interpret sounds, improving both the quality and range of what you hear. Additionally, you may be eligible for financial assistance in purchasing hearing aids. Therefore, if you are experiencing hearing loss, do not delay in consulting a hearing professional and scheduling a hearing test.
