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Tinnitus!!!

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.22LR
Posts: 26
Joined: Fri May 11, 2012 5:48 pm
Location: High Desert, Southern California
PostPosted: Sun May 13, 2012 2:27 pm
I have tinnitus in both ears. It can get bad at times, it can get unbearable at times. However, with the Grace of God I always seem to work my way through it. How do you get tinnitus? Being in combat zones and especially with 30 and 50 caliber machine gun fire on both sides will usually do it. I do volunteer work with our returning vets who come home with some severe case's of tinnitus. A few years ago we had one sucide in Riverside, California. A young lieutenant found the constant ringing in the ears unbearable and committed the unthinkable. If you are not familiar with tinnitus, then you could call it unthinkable. Those who suffer from this affliction consider it an option! Something that most people don't know about tinnitus is that you may hear the ringing in the ears, but the sound eminents from the brain.

Tinnitus is currently the number one service connected disability of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The total numbers of vets awarded disability for tinnitus at the end of 2009 surpassed 760,000. Since 2005, the number of veterans receiving service-connected disability for tinnitus has increased by at least 15% each year. At this alarming rate, 2014 will see 1.5 million vets receiving military compensation for tinnitus.

The US military recognized the risk of hearing loss and tinnitus in Iraq and Afghanistan and issued earplugs early on. But the sheer number of hearing loss injuries came as a suprise to medical specialists in the military and to outside experts.

Despite advances in hearing protection, US Troops are suffering hearing damage at about the same rate as World War II Vets. But there are many differences in combat between the two wars. WW II was a different kind of war than that fought today. It was waged to a much greater extent by way of vast artillery barrages, bombing raids and epic tank battles. Today's battles in the war on terrorism are characterized by roadside bombs, ambushes and sudden firefights.
"They can't say, "Wait a minute, let me put my earplugs in," said Michael Hoffer, MD, a Navy Commander and one of the country's leading inner ear specialists. "They are in the fight of their lives." Additionally, many service members in combat situations refuse to wear earplugs for fear of dulling their senses and missing sounds that can make the difference between life and death.

We badly need upgrades and improvements in the VA Hospital system and out patient care centers that can assist our Veterans returning with (inner) ear damage with qualified counceling. In fact, the hole VA Hospital should revised for all vets for all disabilities. We have young men returning with missing limbs, who now must adjust to a new and different life style. In other words the hospital system needs further funding, and a lot more. When I visit a VA Hospital, I always carry as much cash as I can afford and hand them cash in person. It's always been amazing to me how the politicians can vote themselves pay increases with no consideration for our returning vets and their needs, and our veterans gave their life for their freedoms. And then we have a President who really dosen't give a rats behind about our vets and has even said (in so many words) that if you love country you should serve without pay and provide your own health insurance!
First, I would like to ask President Obama if he loves his country, and if you really love your country, then why don't you work without pay and pay your own medical costs. I've gotta close this post, before I start bouncing off the wall when I think of the disrespect and unjustice our returning vets are receiving from this administration.
'An army of sheep led by a lion will defeat an army of lion led by a sheep.'
User avatar
.22LR
Posts: 12
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2011 2:55 pm
Location: North Florida
PostPosted: Fri Jul 06, 2012 4:26 pm
I have had tinitus and a severe hearing loss for over 42 years now. Unfortunately the Army screwed me out of an exit physical.
Member: Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, AMVETS, Society of the 5th Infantry Division

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