Military Service Recognition Book Volume VII 78 How hearing loss can affect veterans Four important facts every veteran should know For many veterans, information about hearing protection and hearing loss was not common when they served. Military members are exposed to higher noise levels in their work than the general public. Damaging sound exposure can occur in a few ways: percussive weapons discharge, the repetitive high frequency sounds of navigation equipment and continuous noise (as experienced in a ship’s engine room for example). Blast exposure and other hazardous noise related to military service can also be associated with difficulty understanding speech, even while scoring well on a hearing test.1 Four facts about hearing loss and veterans: 1. Hearing loss and tinnitus (a humming, buzzing or ringing sound in your ears) are two of the most common medical related conditions for veterans based on disability benefit outcomes from Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC).2 2. Hearing loss in veterans is not agerelated. Veterans of ages ranging from 25 to 50 report hearing problems.3 3. Veterans report a higher prevalence of hearing problems, on average five times more often than the general Canadian population.3 4. Early recognition and treatment of hearing loss for veterans can help prevent problems in the future.3 As a Veteran or active service member you can find out more about your hearing health by consulting with a hearing care professional. Our team of hearing care professionals are dedicated to help you hear the best you can. If you are experiencing hearing loss or tinnitus symptoms, the first step is to schedule a hearing evaluation. Your hearing care professional will then conduct the evaluation, develop a hearing care plan specifically for your needs and counsel you on your options. With telehearing care one of our hearing care professionals can perform a screening test, discuss product options and fit, program and fine tune hearing aids - all in the comfort and safety of your own home. Call the Helix Hearing Care or HearCanada clinic nearest you to schedule your hearing evaluation: 866-304-8270 1. Tepe, V., Papesh, M., Russell, S., Lewis, M.S., Pryor, N., & Guillory, L. (2020). Acquired Central Auditory Processing Disorder in Service Members and Veterans. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 63(3), 834-857. Doi: 10.1044/2019_jslhr-19-00293 2. Veterans Affairs Canada (2020). 4.0 Disability Benefits. Retrieved from: https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-vac/news-media/facts-figures/4-0 3. Veterans Affairs Canada (2017). Veterans’ Hearing Problems. Retrieved from: http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-us/research-directorate/info-briefs/veteran-hearing-problems. Proudly supporting the Royal Canadian Legion Active members, veterans and their families Our qualified staff are dedicated to helping you hear the best you can. By appointment only. • Full hearing tests and evaluations • Hearing aids and fittings • Batteries and accessories • Telehearing care services Ask us about the new WIDEX MOMENTTM Summer Offer!! helixhearingcare.ca hearcanada.com Benefits vary, see clinic for more information. ©2020 Lifestyle Hearing Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Helix Hearing Care and HearCanada are proud members of the Lifestyle Hearing Corporation family of clinics. WIDEX MOMENT™ is a trademark of Widex A/S. VAC accepted. Call us today to schedule a full hearing evaluation and find out more about how we can support you with your hearing care needs. 866-304-8270
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