Is the Military Doing Enough to Address the Need for Tinnitus Treatment?

The Department for Veteran Affairs is gaining further insight into the condition of soldiers who are returning from war. One of the principal dynamics that they are looking at is the need for free tinnitus treatment where appropriate. Funding and research remain significant problems when achieving this objective.

Hearing loss is becoming part and parcel of the military lifestyle. Many of the people that are affected by the condition feel that it is their duty to suffer in silence. Should the Federal Government come up with a strategy that includes tinnitus treatment? If you listen to the expert, this is precisely the thing that is required.

• The stories of the people who have lived the experience: Marine Lance Corporal David Goldich found that there were many consequences to a detonated roadside bomb even if you are manning a gun turret on top of a Humvee with a 155 mm artillery shell. His right ear was punctured. Many soldiers do not wear personal ear protection because it is considered to be a hindrance to the all important situational awareness of a soldier. Experts say that the high decibel noise from war is critical to the increase in tinnitus cases.


• Occupational hazards and state responses: According to the VA Disability Payments schedule, the requests related to impaired auditory systems jumped by 15% in a single year. This was the biggest rise in any service connected ailment category. Of those veterans who became eligible for first time compensation 54% were younger than 55. This means that otherwise able young people are being debilitated by the scourge of tinnitus. If a treatment program could be designed on a national basis it would save the money lots of time and manpower.


• The side effects of war: By 2010 the number of vets needing tinnitus treatment climbed by 92,300. It is estimated that 745,000 have received compensation that is related to this condition whereas 672,000 have been paid on account of complete hearing loss. Mr. Goldich was one of the lucky ones who were able to return to civilian life. Although he is now an engineer, the irritations continue. He says that it "sounds like an air hose, constantly sucking out, especially when there is no ambient noise." Others are simply unable to adjust or face enduring mental health challenges. It has been suggested that a center for hearing excellence is established in order to provide research and tinnitus treatment facilities for affected veterans.

More details on Tinnitus Treatment can be obtained from various websites available online.

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