Beverly Hills Hearing Center was founded in 1983 by Bonnie Baehr. Prior to that, Dr. Baehr practiced at the House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles as a staff audiologist for seven years. She was involved with diagnostic testing, hearing aid evaluations, research and rehabilitation. Dr. Baehr did her clinical fellowship training at the Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic in downtown Los Angeles. She is a member of the American Academy of Audiology, American Speech Language and Hearing Association, California Academy of Audiology and Academy of Doctors of Audiology.
Latest posts by Bonnie L. Baehr, Au.D. (see all)
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Hearing loss is a common and often debilitating challenge for veterans and military personnel, particularly those who have served in combat zones or noisy environments. Despite advances in hearing technology and increased awareness of hearing health, hearing loss remains a prevalent issue for those who have served our country.
Prevalence of Hearing Loss in Veterans
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), hearing loss is one of the most prevalent service-connected disability among veterans. Hearing loss and tinnitus affects more than 2.3 million veterans. Veterans of all ages are susceptible to hearing loss.
The traumatic noise exposure during combat and training exercises, combined with the effects of aging, can lead to hearing loss and tinnitus in veterans. Moreover, blast injuries, infections, and head trauma associated with military service can exacerbate hearing loss or lead to additional auditory problems.
Impact of Hearing Loss on Quality of Life
Hearing loss can have a profound impact on veterans’ lives, affecting physical, emotional, social, and vocational aspects.
- Communication difficulties: Hearing loss can lead to challenges communicating with family, friends, colleagues, and healthcare providers. This can lead to feelings of isolation, frustration, and even depression.
- Safety concerns: Hearing loss can reduce awareness of critical auditory cues like alarms, sirens, and horns. This compromises safety in traffic, hazardous environments, or emergencies.
- Job performance: Hearing loss can affect job performance, limiting job opportunities and productivity, and placing additional stress on financial security and personal relationships.
These adverse effects of hearing loss can contribute to reduced quality of life, increased healthcare costs, and a significant burden on veterans’ mental health and well-being.
Challenges in Addressing Hearing Loss for Veterans
Despite the significant impact of hearing loss on veterans’ quality of life, addressing this issue can be challenging and complicated.
- Delayed diagnosis: Due to the gradual nature of hearing loss, veterans may not realize that they are experiencing hearing difficulties until they become more severe. Additionally, veterans may be reluctant to seek medical help, fearing the stigma of hearing loss.
- Inadequate medical services: Veterans have a hard time accessing comprehensive hearing healthcare. They may not receive diagnostic testing and hearing aid fitting. Only a small percentage of eligible veterans receive hearing aids each year.
- Financial barriers: Hearing healthcare services and technology can be expensive and not usually covered by insurance, placing an economic burden on veterans and their families.
Addressing Hearing Loss in Veterans
Although hearing loss among veterans poses significant challenges, there are strategies and resources available to mitigate its impact and improve auditory health. Some of these include:
- Hearing protection: Implementing hearing protection practices during military service can prevent or reduce noise-induced hearing loss. Veterans and current military personnel should receive appropriate training and protective gear, including earplugs, earmuffs, and communication headsets.
- Hearing healthcare services: Veterans should undergo regular hearing screenings, especially when experiencing symptoms or after exposure to hazardous noise. The VA provides comprehensive hearing healthcare services at no cost to eligible veterans, and this may include diagnostic evaluations, hearing aids, and assistive listening devices.
- Support programs: Veterans support organizations offer various programs and resources to address hearing loss and its impact on veterans’ lives. These may include hearing aid assistance, tinnitus management, and education programs on hearing healthcare.
- Advocacy and awareness: Talking about the prevalence and impact of hearing loss among veterans can help raise public awareness and encourage better healthcare policies. Veterans and their families can also take an active role in advocating for comprehensive hearing healthcare services and funding.
We’re Proud to Serve Our Veterans
Hearing loss is a pervasive and debilitating issue among veterans and military personnel, affecting their quality of life and overall well-being. Despite the prevalence of this issue, addressing and mitigating hearing loss is often delayed due to inadequate medical services, financial barriers, stigma, and misconceptions.
However, implementing hearing protection practices, accessing comprehensive hearing healthcare services, and advocating for better healthcare policies can help reduce the impact of hearing loss and improve hearing health among veterans.
If you or a loved one is a veteran experiencing hearing difficulties, we’re here to help. Book a hearing test and find out more about your hearing loss. We’ll carefully review your test results, and give you several treatment options to choose from. Take the first step today.