Military Tinnitus: Issues Unresolved
Exposure to high intensity noise is inevitable for people working in the military. Those exposed in areas of combat are more susceptible to damage caused by high decibel noises. The consequences would be hearing loss and tinnitus. The degree of exposure determines whether one will sustain temporary or permanent damage. Military tinnitus results from repeated exposure to gunshot noises and blasts. Those in combat are more prone to develop the condition. However, not only the noises caused by weapons pose risk to the hearing but also the noises caused by vehicles and machinery. What we know is that the number of military men having hearing problems is increasing. Tinnitus and hearing impairment brought about by their job can in turn make them unfit for the job.
One of the main issues researchers face in studying the incidence of tinnitus among military servicemen is the lack of data. The data which could lead us to the facts on the prevalence of tinnitus and hearing loss in this sector are missing. While the number of military retirees with tinnitus and hearing problems is compelling, there is no way to establish the connection between noise exposure during military service and hearing problems.
One challenge is dismissing age as a factor. Military retirees in their 60s or 70s show signs of tinnitus and hearing impairment that people at these ages have. The so-called noise-induced tinnitus can occur as a product of aging, the cumulative damage brought about by decades of exposure to noise. Much of the data gathered show only the development of hearing problems in the latter years. There is also no research done to assess the lifestyle of these people outside the military because there is a possibility that these people may have been exposed to damaging noises somewhere else.
The lack of solid data to back up the assumption that military service resulted in military tinnitus and hearing loss presents a major problem for military retirees who claim government assistance due to noise-induced hearing damage resulting from years of working within “noisy” military environment. You cannot just claim that you worked for the military and suffered from tinnitus because of that; and then file for legal financial aid. A detailed history should be looked into, and audiometric data should be collected. The association between ringing in ear and hearing impairment and noise exposure during military service should be well ascertained.
Right now there are millions of veterans who receive disability compensation. Hearing problems (which include tinnitus and hearing loss) account for about 10% of the total cases of disabilities that military retirees suffer from. The number of cases makes hearing disabilities the third most common type of disabilities among veterans. By this time, hundreds of thousands of veterans receive compensation for tinnitus, hearing loss, and other audiological problems.
There are multiple sources of noise in the military, most of which are equipment used in the battlefield. Weapons are the common sources of hazardous noise. Vehicle and aircraft engines also generate unsafe levels of noise, to which military servicemen are continually exposed. These noises run above 85 decibels, the upper limit of safe noise or sound intensity. Noises generated by vehicle engines can be around that intensity. You can be exposed to 85-dB noise for a maximum of 8 hours. Hearing damage starts to occur after that time. Of course, that is just the average because people have different tolerances to noises. Aircraft engines, gunshots, and blasts generate noise much louder than that. As the intensity of sound goes up, the time you should spend around it should decrease. For instance, the noise generated by a chainsaw is roughly around 95 dB. At this intensity, more than 2 hours of exposure can result in damage to the hearing. Noise generated by gunshot and jet plane engine can reach intensities above 130 dB. The human ears are not made to tolerate such level of sound. Instant damage can occur during exposure to gunshots and blasts. Military men are frequently exposed to these levels of noises during the course of their occupation. Hence, it is no wonder that many of them suffer from tinnitus and hearing problems at some point in their lives. Some are even forced to quit their jobs because of significant hearing loss and tinnitus.
Military servicemen should have their hearing assessed every year. Early signs of hearing impairment and tinnitus may not be noticeable, and only standard tests can detect them. Education is vital to the preservation of the hearing of these people. Moreover, mitigating noise hazard brought about by the job is essential. Many people in the military do not know when a noise becomes hazardous. They are already exposed to these noises long before they could complain. They only realize the importance of taking care of their hearing when it’s too late. Efforts to spread campaign regarding occupational noise hazard in the military should be increased. Well, it is not enough to give these people earmuffs. Someone has to tell them when to wear these things.
Treating and Preventing Ear Disease
Ear disease come as infections or hearing disorders, and they are not uncommon as you might have thought. Almost everyone has had an ear infection, and millions suffer from hearing impairment and ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
Ear Infections
There are two common types of ear infections—otitis externa and otitis media. The first one is outer ear infection, usually involving the ear canal. The other one is infection of the middle ear.
Outer ear infection is usually due to left moisture in the ears during bathing or swimming. It is sometimes called swimmer’s ear because swimmers are usually the ones afflicted by this infection. You can also get this disease if you scratched your ears.
Otitis media or middle ear infection is usually a complaint of children. It occurs when fluid congests the middle ear space. It may be a result of colds or sinus infection that has affected the Eustachian tubes. Inflamed Eustachian tubes causes decreased pressure in the middle ear, and this leads to fluid buildup.
Ear infections can be treated through eardrops and antibiotics. Decongestants are given to people with middle ear infections to relieve congestion. Anti-inflammatory drugs may also help. However, you have to visit your doctor before trying any treatment.
Preventing of ear infections involves keeping your ears dry, avoiding the use of cotton-tipped swabs to clean the ears, avoiding overzealous cleaning of the ears, treating colds and sinus infections right away, and blowing your nose softly. You should also know the signs of ear infections, like earache, ear discharge, feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears, muffled hearing, and foul smelling ears.
Eardrum Perforation
A hole on your eardrum causes ear pain and conductive hearing loss. It happens when your eardrum ruptures due to middle ear fluid pressure as a result of otitis media or due to an injury brought about by poking your ears.
You should go to your doctor if you experience earache and muffled hearing. An ear examination will be ordered to see the condition of your ears.
Perforated eardrums can be treated through analgesics to relieve the pain. In many cases, nothing needs to be done as the injury heals on its own. Healing takes a few weeks, and hearing will improve as recovery continues. A minor surgery can be conducted if the affected eardrum does not heal by itself.
To avoid perforation of your eardrums, you should avoid inserting anything into your ears, treat ear infections promptly, and avoid impacts to the ears. Extremely loud noise can also cause the eardrums to rupture, so stay away from loud speakers and other sources of loud noise.
Meniere’s Disease
When you suffer from episodes of vertigo, dizziness, tinnitus or ringing ears, hearing loss, and feeling of fullness in the ears, you probably have Meniere’s disease. This disease has unknown cause, but it is associated with excess of fluid in the inner ears. Abnormally high fluid pressure disrupts normal functioning of the inner ears. Thus, hearing and balance are affected.
There is no definite treatment for Menieres disease, but there are medications and therapies that can relieve vertigo, which is the most disabling of all symptoms. Tinnitus and hearing loss that accompany the attack are temporary and bearable. All the symptoms recede after the attack. Low tinnitus may linger, but hearing improves and vertigo subsides. Patients generally feel better during the remission, but the next episode can occur anytime.
Meniere’s disease can be managed through diet modification. Since it’s due to increase of fluid in the inner ears, managing fluid balance in the body is important. Hence, avoiding salt and caffeine is necessary.
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
The number of adults losing their hearing is increasing, and experts warn that this is most likely due to frequent exposure to loud noises. Loud noise destroys the hair cells in the cochlea, and this destruction cannot be repaired. Permanent damage results in irreversible sensorineural hearing loss. The usual early sign of sensorineural hearing loss is loss of sensation of high frequency noises. What follows is trouble understanding speech, as the hearing deteriorates. Severe hearing loss may ensue if the old habit of listening to loud sounds is not stopped.
Noise-induced hearing loss can be managed through hearing aids, which should be adjusted to work according to the degree of hearing loss. Hearing aids should also be adjusted to amplify only the frequencies that are no longer heard properly.
NIHL can be prevented by, of course, staying away from noisy places. Wearing of earplugs is crucial for people who work at noisy environments. At home, you must turn your television, DVD player, and music player at moderate volumes.
Ringing in the Ears
This is a rather strange condition, which is not a disease exactly, but one that can cause other conditions, like insomnia and depression. Medically, it is known as tinnitus, and it is not classified as an ear disease. It is often described as ringing in the ears because many people with this problem complain they can hear ringing noise inside their ears.
The cause of ringing in the ears should be identified to determine the right treatment. However, tinnitus may often exist on its own without apparent culprit. In this case, treatment is targeted to managing the perception of noise. Treatments available are masking, counseling, and relaxation therapy. Medications are not prescribed unless you are suffering from anxiety or sleeplessness. Then again, long term use of medications is not recommended.
Tinnitus can be avoided by steering clear of loud noises, wearing earmuffs when necessary, and managing stress properly.
Practical Tips on Preventing Hearing Loss
The ear is basically one of the most important parts of our body. Its basic function is for us to distinguish or hear the sounds in our surroundings but aside from that, they also help maintain our bodily balance and positioning. Sadly, like any other body part, the ear is vulnerable to different kinds of diseases and unwanted conditions. That is exactly the reason why we must be aware of the things that can harm ears and destroy our hearing. Perhaps one of the most common ear problems today is hearing loss and it is essential for us to know that there are plenty of things that we can do in preventing hearing loss.
Hearing loss is characterized by the partial or total inability to perceive different sound frequencies. Aside from that, it can also bring about other hearing problems such as tinnitus or the presence of an incessant noise in one or both ears. There are several factors that can cause hearing loss which include aging, the sudden exposure or overexposure to high levels of sounds and ototoxicity. Apart from that, hearing loss can be a hereditary condition which can be passed on from one generation to another. Moreover, diseases like measles, syphilis, mumps, meningitis, aids and otosclerosis can also cause hearing loss.
Hearing loss can be managed however it is an irreversible condition. Some of the approaches for hearing loss include the usage of hearing aids, cochlear implants and gene therapy. But before you have to go through the ordeal of losing your hearing or looking for ways to relieve, you must know there are simple tips that can help you keep your ears in a good condition. They are as follows:
Keep the volume low
At this point in time, personal audio devices like Ipods and Mp3 players have become the latest fad for both young and old. There is no problem in using these devices however if you want to avoid acquiring hearing loss. Make sure to keep the volume low especially if you are using headphones. Moreover, try to minimize the use of mobile phones because they also emit noises that can destroy your hearing.
Stay away from noisy environments
Almost all levels of noise can potentially damage your ears but the ones that are too loud can certainly destroy your hearing. If you do not need to be in places that emit loud noises, then do not go there. These places include disco houses, clubs, airports and factories. Furthermore, don’t expose your ears to the sounds coming from machines or tools like lawn mowers, motorcycles and firearms.
Wear ear protection
Ear protection is very important especially for those whose work requires them to be exposed to high levels of noise. For those who have to work with noisy machineries, make sure to wear the right kinds of ear protection like earmuffs and earplugs. Ear protection need not to be expensive but they can surely save your ears.
Clean your ears properly
It has become a habit for most people to clean their ears with cotton swabs or Q tips. There is really no harm in cleaning your ears and in fact it is part of a good hygiene however there is a better way to do it and that is to ask a professional to clean your ears to avoid pushing and accumulating earwax down your ear canal.
Have a healthy lifestyle
Slight changes in our blood circulation can bring about hearing loss. Aside from saving yourself from serious health conditions caused by an unhealthy lifestyle, by living healthy you will be preventing hearing loss. Engage in healthy activities like sport and exercise, have a good diet and keep away from habits like smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol.
Have a regular hearing test
It is important to know that hearing loss can be unavoidable at times. Once again, remember that all kinds of noises can damage our ears. What you can actually do is to have regular hearing check up to know if you have already acquired hearing loss and for it to be given the right intervention before it gets worse.
Hearing loss can immensely create big changes in our lives considering that we use our ears to communicate with all the other people in our community. Although, you may be able to find a sort of remedy of hearing loss like hearing aids, there are many things that you can do in protecting your ears and preventing hearing loss. They are not actually very big efforts on your part but simple and logical ones. Be aware of the things that can harm your ears and as much as you can try to avoid them. Do the things that can keep your ears healthy and always bear in mind that the wellness of your ears lies in your hands. So do your share and take very good care of your ears.
Living with Hearing Disorders
The hearing is a complex system in the body that operates in such a complicated fashion. Yet you hear at such a rapid speed that you can take the entire process for granted. Who would have time to bring to consciousness such a process? Then again, we only realize the importance of our hearing once we suffer from hearing disorders.
There are a number of common disorders that affect the hearing. Some of them are not really classified as disorders but bring considerable discomfort and intrusiveness, just like disorders do. A hearing disorder can occur at birth or it may develop as a person grows. It can also be a result of an injury or a complication of an illness. Nonetheless, any hearing disorder is characterized by abnormal hearing. It can be plain below average hearing sensitivity, hypersensitive hearing, or hearing of non-existent noises.
Hearing Loss
There are generally two types of hearing loss, which are conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. The former is caused by earwax, ruptured eardrum, or fluid buildup in the middle ear. Bone abnormalities in the ears can also cause conductive hearing loss, which occurs when the sound waves that pass through the ears are not transmitted properly. That results in muffled hearing, which can last for as long as the abnormality or blockage remains in the ear.
Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by damage to the nerve that conducts impulses from the ears to the brain. This damage is usually caused by exposure to loud noise. It can also be caused by a tumor or an infection. Aging may also lead to sensorineural hearing impairment that is believed to be a result of cumulative damage sustained over the years. Use of medications may also cause degeneration of auditory nerve fibers, and this can also result in either temporary or permanent hearing damage.
The treatment for hearing loss depends on the type and cause. Blockage in the ears, which causes conductive hearing loss, can be removed through simple procedures. For instance, impacted earwax can be removed by an otologist or even a GP. The patient can go home afterwards. Ear infections, which result in temporary hearing loss, can be treated using antibiotics.
Sensorineural hearing loss can be managed through wearing of hearing aids, which amplify incoming sound so it could be heard more easily. Hearing aids today have been significantly improved to optimize amplification of certain frequencies. Studies show that people with hearing loss usually have problems hearing certain frequencies. Hence, hearing aids are adjusted to amplify only the affected frequencies.
Ringing in the Ears
Millions of people suffer from this strange condition characterized as perception of ringing noise inside the ears. This condition is called tinnitus, and it is a peculiar subject in the area of audiology. The often misunderstood condition is said to be a symptom of a disorder. However, the culprit is sometimes unidentified.
Experts believe that the usual cause of tinnitus is loud noise exposure. This explains why many musicians and factory workers suffer from this condition. It also explains why it is associated with sensorineural hearing loss. Tinnitus can be triggered by stress or ototoxic medications like aspirin. It may be temporary or permanent. It can exist in one ear or both ears.
There is no cure for tinnitus, but there are many ways to manage it. One is through maskers, devices that emit a steady stream of broadband noise. Tinnitus maskers provide relief by making the ringing inside the ears imperceptible. Once the masker is turned off, tinnitus becomes perceptible again. That is the major limitation of masking devices. On the other hand, if you have hearing loss at the same time, you will be advised to wear hearing aids. The amplification of external sound diminishes the perception of internal noise.
Other treatments for tinnitus include homeopathic remedies, which provide relief without causing side effects. Natural remedies usually work by activating the healing mechanism of the body. Other alternative treatments are acupuncture, acupressure, and herbal treatment.
Hyperacusis
Some people are intolerant to noises and may have exaggerated reactions to noises, which do not at all bother others. They are suffering from sensitive hearing or hyperacusis. Another form of sound intolerance is misophonia, which is a selective type of noise intolerance. It is hard to pin down the causes of hyperacusis, but experts think inner ear damage due to loud noise exposure or aging is the culprit. Just as the cause is hard to determine, it is also hard to find a suitable treatment. In most cases, afflicted individuals would have to live with the condition. Retraining therapy can help people with abnormally sensitive hearing. Wearing of masking devices is said to bring about relief. There remains no definite treatment procedure for hypersensitive hearing.
Advice to Everyone
Regular screening of the hearing is important to detect early signs of hearing disorders. It is recommended that people be screened for hearing loss every three years. Those who work at acoustically hazardous environments should have hearing assessment more often. Go to your doctor, too, if your ears are ringing or if you have developed abnormal sensitivity to certain sounds or noises.
Human Hearing Protection Advice
The incidence of acquired hearing impairment apparently increases by the day. One common cause of hearing impairment in adults is frequent loud noise exposure. Loud noise destroys the delicate cells in the cochlea that transmit signals to the auditory nerve. This results in irreversible hearing loss and other kinds of ear problems like the Meniere’s disease.
This is why one of the most important ways to preserve human hearing is through avoidance of loud noise. Unfortunately, a lot of people do not realize that many noises they expose themselves to are loud enough to cause damage to their delicate ears.
If you have to strain yourself just to be heard by someone in a noisy environment, the noise levels there are probably loud enough to put your ears at risk. Reduce the number of hours you spend at noisy clubs or pubs. At the same time, refrain from going to rock concert venues. If you must, at least do not choose the front row of seats.
Loud music has been blamed for a lot of cases of hearing impairment. Make sure that music players at home and even those you carry around with you are adjusted to emit moderate volumes of sound. Never play music at maximum volumes because the sound often goes beyond the safe limit for human ears. By doing these simple steps, you do not necessarily have to go through the ordeal of looking for a cure for tinnitus, hearing loss, Meniere’s disease or for all the other kinds of unwanted ear conditions.
If your job requires you to stay inside noise-laden room, wear earplugs.
