With thousands of wounded warriors and veterans battling disabilities and injuries every day, the most common ailments are often overlooked.
Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is a leading disability for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), according to Dr. Tom Tedeschi, chief hearing director at Amplifon Hearing Health Care.
Tedeschi, who is based in Utah and is a Vietnam War-era Army veteran, told Fox News Digital how prevalent hearing loss and complications are among the veteran community.
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Experts say about 60% of Vietnam veterans and 50% of Gulf War veterans suffer from hearing loss.
According to audiologists, tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is the most common disorder among veterans today. (St. Petersburg)
“We estimate that probably one in three veterans has some degree of hearing loss or tinnitus,” he said. “And that’s because we’re always around noise…the military is not a quiet place.”
According to Tedeschi, everyone’s hearing is different, and different noise levels affect people in different ways.
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“For some people, hearing loud sounds like gunshots can permanently damage their hearing,” he said. “Others can tolerate loud noises, but it doesn’t immediately cause permanent damage.”
Different military roles have different levels of loud noise exposure, Tedeschi said, but for some soldiers in combat, there’s a lot of “persistent” noise even during peacetime.
For some soldiers facing combat, even in peacetime, there is a lot of “persistent” noise, experts said. (St. Petersburg)
Tedeschi said military personnel are provided with hearing protection, but it’s not always “practical,” especially in active combat.
“Currently, there are more people under the age of 50 with hearing loss than there are people over the age of 50.”
Experts have warned that hearing loss once lost “does not come back” and that even mild hearing loss in young veterans can become severe over time.
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“When we’re young, we believe we’re invincible and hearing loss won’t happen…We believe it’s an ‘old guy thing’, but that’s not true,” he says.
“Currently, there are more people under the age of 50 with hearing loss than there are people over the age of 50.”
care and protection
The biggest hurdle in dealing with hearing complications in veterans is recognizing the problem, Tedeschi said.
“Most people with hearing loss don’t realize it,” he says. “It’s the people around you who notice.”
Tedeschi urged veterans to seek help if they experience constant ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus, or hearing loss while talking or watching television.
Many young veterans mistakenly believe that hearing loss only occurs in old age. (St. Petersburg)
“While it (tinnitus) cannot be cured or completely eliminated, there are various protocols and strategies to help,” he said.
This could include wearing hearing aids, which Tedeschi said is “light years ahead” of what it was 10 years ago.
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Tedeschi emphasized the importance of wearing proper hearing protection, such as earphones and earmuffs, both in combat and out of combat.
“We live in a noisy world,” he said. “If you’re mowing the lawn outside, you should wear hearing protection. A lot of people like to go to concerts. Concerts are loud and can be damaging.”
Experts advise that you should wear hearing protection during other noisy activities, such as mowing the lawn or attending concerts. (St. Petersburg)
If you hear ringing in your ears after a concert or other noisy event, Tedeschi warns that it means your ears have suffered some damage.
There is usually a recovery period, but in some cases the damage can be permanent, he said.
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Tedeschi warned that some drugs, such as aspirin, can cause hearing loss as a side effect.
“If you are taking large amounts of aspirin for things like arthritis, be careful and ask your doctor if there are alternatives,” he advised.
The expert said that using hearing aids is “just like wearing glasses, it’s a normal thing.” (St. Petersburg)
Tedeschi encouraged veterans to seek help to avoid further complications related to hearing loss, such as cognitive decline.
“More and more, we’re seeing people with untreated hearing loss whose cognitive decline is accelerated, because their brains are overworking themselves to compensate,” he told Fox News Digital.
“More and more people are experiencing rapid cognitive decline in untreated hearing loss.”
“Veterans, please know that help is out there for you. You don’t have to go through all the comorbidities associated with hearing loss.”
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Veterans can visit their local Veterans Affairs Center to have their hearing evaluated or contact a counselor who can refer them to a hearing loss specialist.
