New Study Shows: Recent Veterans Have Higher Levels of Hearing Loss

This holiday season many American families will welcome home soldiers from overseas engagements, who according to a new study, have higher than usual hearing loss. An October article in “Hearing Health” reported that hearing loss among current veterans had reached an “epidemic level.” In response to these findings the law firm, Legal Help for Veterans, is fighting to protect healthcare rights and seek compensation for effected veterans.

One way this “epidemic” has been measured is through the increase in payments for hearing related injuries submitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs; last year they “recorded a 15 percent increase” in hearing health related bills.  In addition, 2009 saw  “annual payments for hearing-related conditions by the VA exceeded $1.1 billion, according to the Government Accountability Office.”

Why is addressing the hearing loss of veterans so important? In more extreme cases, tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears) has been linked to depression and suicide amongst the afflicted. With this in mind the Legal Help for Veterans staff is urging new arrivals to get tested and see a veteran’s attorney if they do in fact need to apply for compensation. While the process to receive hearing loss healthcare through the Department of Veteran Affairs can be a daunting for some newly arrived vets, getting the products and services needed for treatment, like hearing examinations and aids, is necessary.

CLICK HERE to read more about how the Legal Help for Veterans firm is helping those who struggle with engagement based hearing loss.