Addressing Hearing Loss & Tinnitus among Veterans

“I was injured by a suicide bomber at close range, on April 11, 2006, while leading a foot patrol in Rawah, Iraq,” recalls Captain Mark A. Brogan, a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2005-2007). “My hearing was substantially damaged. My first hearing test was not till a few months after my injury. The test results showed that my right ear had been perforated and sustained severe to profound damage and the left severe…The inner ear was so damaged that my vestibular system was damaged and my balance and dizziness were horrible.” Approximately 60% of veterans returning from combat zones have reported cases of tinnitus and hearing loss due to exposure to very loud noises. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, it is one of the most common military service-related injuries and is a growing complaint for today’s veterans.

Resources for Veterans with Hearing Loss

During World War II, the field of audiology was developed to address the thousands of veterans who suffered from noise-induced hearing loss. Early on, it was clear that noise-induced hearing loss was a major consequence of combat. Between 1945 and 1947, military aural rehabilitation programs processed 15,000 veterans; by 1957, the VA had identified 71,000 veterans suffering from hearing loss. To address hearing loss among veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) researched and implemented evaluation and treatment methods and became the nation’s largest employer of audiologists. The VA is committed to developing preventative measures for noise-induced hearing loss and has poured funding into studies, with the hopes of providing relief for those afflicted with hearing loss and tinnitus. One such study, conducted by the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and the VA Portland Medical Center, found that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) might offer long-term relief for individuals suffering from tinnitus. Subjects of the study were individuals who had suffered tinnitus for at least one year, a mix of veterans and non-veterans, with the average age at 60 years old. According to Dr. Robert L. Folmer, associate professor of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at OHSU, “For some study participants, this was the first time in years that they experienced any relief in symptoms. These promising results bring us closer to developing a long-sought treatment for this condition that affects an enormous number of Americans, including many men and women who have served in our armed forces.” In this study, Dr. Folmer and his colleagues administered cone-shaped magnetic pulses which penetrated the skull and targeted the auditory cortex of the brain. Participants who suffered tinnitus for a period of 20 years or more reported relief of symptoms following this trial. With positive results, Dr. Folmer and his team of researchers look forward to conducting more extensive clinical trials with the aim to create a standard protocol for treatment. Hearing aids provide relief in some cases of tinnitus, but there is not yet a definitive cure. For a condition that has long evaded researchers and hearing specialists, TMS provides the potential of a long-term treatment for tinnitus.

Raising Awareness on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Noise-induced hearing loss occurs when we are exposed to dangerous levels of noise, whether in short bursts, singular events, or over a long period of time. For members of the military, noise-induced hearing loss is a leading occupational hazard. However, Roman Mars of the podcast 99% Invisible, reported in 2016: “The US Marine Corps buys a lot of foam earplugs. Visit any military base and you’ll find them under the bleachers, at the firing range, in the bottoms of washing machines…they are cheap and effective at making noise less noisy…In a military situation, a reduction of 30 decibels is especially helpful with a steady grinding background din such as the thrum of a Blackhawk helicopter.” Even so, members of military do not regularly wear earplugs because, according to Dr. Eric Fallon, “The noise environment of the modern battlefield can change very quickly. Service members need hearing protection that allows them to hear quiet noises and protects them when things get loud. In a combat situation, soldiers depend on their hearing to help them figure out what to do when things escalate quickly on the ground. A routine patrol, for instance, may suddenly come under fire without warning.” To improve conditions for members of the military, the Department of Defense and the VA are considering the use of tactical communication and protective systems (TCAPS), which provide better protection and more nuanced sound.

Seeking Treatment for Hearing Loss & Tinnitus

Though there is no cure for hearing loss, there is treatment available in the form of hearing aids. These days, hearing aids are highly advanced, digital devices which provide wearers with a natural listening experience. The first step in attaining a hearing aid to treat your hearing loss is to schedule an appointment with us at Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services.