The AudioNotch Tinnitus Treatment Blog

Veterans, given their increased exposure noise-induced hearing damage, are at a significantly increased risk of developing tinnitus. Common exposure risks are typically explosions and gunfire. Being in the vicinity of warzone entails exposure to a variety of risks. Fortunately, various measures are oftentimes taken in order to prevent the development of hearing loss and associated tinnitus. Hearing protection is increasingly a standard that has been adopted by many professional armies. However, it’s not only combat-related noise trauma that can induce tinnitus – any type of constant exposure to a loud enough auditory stimulus can cause long term hearing damage. You don’t need to be in a war-zone to acquire hearing damage. Consider the tragic story of Mr. Wicks, available on youtube:

Jean-Claude Wicks, former U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant, discusses developing tinnitus and how the incidence of tinnitus is disproportionate in military and veteran populations. He outlines that although tinnitus can certainly be caused in combat – it can also be a hazard of workplace noise.

Please – if you have tinnitus, counsel your loved ones on the importance of hearing protection. Additionally, take precautions to protect your own hearing, since additional hearing loss can exacerbate the volume of your pre-existing tinnitus!

Best,
AudioNotch