by Ali Elen
If you are one of the 2,100 veterans living in Florida’s Washington County and worried that you may have hearing loss then you are not alone. About 2.7 million veterans live with hearing loss or tinnitus in the US as a direct result of their military service. In fact, hundreds of veterans in Florida are currently filing lawsuits against 3M, the company behind earplugs given to service personnel to protect their hearing. The veterans claim that the earplugs were defective and has left them with hearing loss, tinnitus and loss of balance. While there’s no doubt that living with hearing loss or tinnitus can impact on all areas of a veteran’s life, there is help available to support veterans through adjusting to life with hearing loss.
Military Service Hearing Loss
Veterans are 30% more likely to have a severe hearing impairment compared to non-veterans. Hearing loss is the most prevalent service-related injury that affects veterans. Military service personnel develops hearing loss or tinnitus as a result of routine exposure to loud noise in active combat and other on-the-job activities. Meanwhile, normal age-related hearing loss that most of us will experience can make the problem significantly worse. It can have a long-term and devastating impact. Veterans with tinnitus may hear an intermittent or constant buzzing, hissing or ringing sound that can stop them from being able to sleep or concentrate. Hearing loss can make it very difficult for a person to maintain relationships and can lead to depression, social isolation and even cognitive decline.
Hearing Health Care For Vets
To help veterans living with hearing loss or related conditions such as tinnitus, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers free or low-cost hearing health care, including hearing aids and cochlear implants, through its health benefits program. Once a veteran is enrolled to receive VA Health Benefits, they will receive a hearing evaluation by an audiologist to determine their hearing health needs and whether they require hearing aids. Veterans in Washington County can apply online or by visiting a local VA healthcare facility or the regional office in Chipley, Florida.
Compensation for Veterans With Hearing Damage
More than three million US military veterans are currently receiving treatment for a service-related hearing issue. Meanwhile, many have been are awarded compensation for hearing loss and tinnitus as a result of their active service. To qualify for benefits or compensation for auditory problems caused by service you will need to prove your condition was caused by military duty. You will need to provide evidence of a specific event in service that caused your hearing condition or provide a medical opinion linking your condition to your service. If you wish to make a compensation claim for hearing loss, you will need to complete a VA Form 21-526 Veterans Application for Compensation.
Adjusting to civilian life when a military career has been cut short due to hearing issues is devastating enough. But living with the long-term impact of a hearing condition can be life-changing. Seeking out the appropriate hearing health care, benefits and compensation if appropriate can make a real difference in helping you enjoy a healthy and fulfilled life as a veteran.