If you served in the U.S. military, we thank you for your commitment and sacrifice. Many veterans return home with honor, as well as with hearing damage that lasts a lifetime.
Hearing loss and veterans go hand-in-hand far more often than most people realize. These issues affect communication, safety, quality of life, and mental health.
In fact, hearing loss and tinnitus are the two most common service-related disabilities for veterans. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, over 1.3 million veterans received disability benefits for hearing loss in 2020. Over 2.3 million received benefits for tinnitus.
The data makes one thing clear: hearing damage is an invisible but widespread cost of service.
Why Hearing Loss and Veterans Are Closely Linked
Military environments are some of the loudest workplaces in the world. Service members are exposed to hazardous noise levels during training, combat, and daily operations.
Even with protective gear, prolonged and repeated exposure to dangerous decibel levels causes lasting damage.
Let’s examine the top causes of hearing loss and tinnitus in veterans.
Gunfire and Weapons Exposure
Gunfire is a constant in many military roles. One M-16 rifle blast can reach 150 decibels. That’s loud enough to cause permanent hearing loss in seconds.
Repeated exposure without proper protection accelerates damage. In some cases, protection wasn’t just inadequate—it was defective.
A prime example is the 3M dual-ended combat earplug. These were issued to thousands of service members between 2003 and 2015. Court cases revealed the design was faulty, and many veterans now live with the consequences.
Even proper hearing protection may fail if not worn consistently or correctly during every training or combat situation.
Aircraft, Engines, and Heavy Machinery
Gunfire isn’t the only culprit. Military vehicles generate extreme noise. Helicopters reach up to 105 decibels. Jets often exceed 140 decibels. Ship engines, tank treads, and armored transport carriers also contribute to long-term damage.
A study from the Armed Forces Aeromedical Centre found that 42% of fixed-wing pilots reported hearing loss. Pilots, mechanics, and ground crews often spend hours daily exposed to noise levels far beyond safe thresholds.
Military missions don’t pause for hearing breaks. The daily grind of deafening engines leaves a lasting mark.
Jet Fuel Exposure (JP-8)
Jet Propulsion Fuel-8 (JP-8) is another overlooked source of hearing damage. It’s not loud—but it’s toxic.
Prolonged JP-8 exposure has been linked to auditory processing disorder (APD). With APD, veterans may hear sounds clearly but struggle to understand speech.
It’s not about volume. It’s about brain processing. JP-8 can disrupt neural pathways that decode sound signals.
This type of damage is invisible and hard to diagnose, but it significantly affects quality of life.
Blast Injuries and IED Exposure
Explosions are a major cause of inner ear trauma. Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) create shockwaves that rupture ear structures.
The ear isn’t built for that kind of pressure. One blast can shatter delicate structures like the eardrum or cochlea.
Blast injuries can also cause vertigo, balance problems, and fluctuating hearing. These injuries are often permanent.
Prompt medical intervention immediately after a blast may reduce long-term damage. But many injuries go unreported in chaotic combat environments.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Many veterans suffer from TBIs caused by blunt force trauma or explosions. TBIs interfere with the brain’s ability to process sound.
Even mild TBIs can lead to tinnitus, sensitivity to sound, and cognitive difficulties. Medications used to treat TBIs may also trigger or worsen tinnitus.
In combination, these effects reduce focus, concentration, and quality of life.
Accelerated Age-Related Hearing Loss
Veterans often develop age-related hearing loss earlier than civilians. Their ears endure more stress in less time.
Exposure to weapons, aircraft, and combat environments accelerates the degeneration of auditory cells.
While hearing loss affects most people with age, veterans often experience it earlier, faster, and more severely.
Understanding the Science of Hearing Loss and Tinnitus
Your ear collects sound, but your brain interprets it. Both parts must work together.
Tinnitus
This perception of sound—usually ringing, buzzing, or hissing— happens when no external sound exists. Tinnitus ranges from occasional annoyance to nonstop agony.
Twenty million Americans describe their tinnitus as bothersome. Two million say it’s disabling. Veterans are overrepresented in both categories.
Tinnitus doesn’t just affect hearing. It disrupts sleep, increases anxiety, and complicates everyday tasks like concentrating and driving.
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss may sneak up gradually. It’s easy to miss until communication begins to break down.
Veterans with hearing loss often experience frustration, isolation, and strained relationships at home and work. It also increases the risk of falls, depression, and cognitive decline.
Understand why you may need hearing aids for mild hearing loss.
How Loud Is Too Loud? A Military Sound Scale
The danger begins at 85 decibels (dBA). At that level, 8 hours of exposure causes damage.
For every 3 dB increase, safe exposure time is cut in half. A few examples:
-
Ambulance Siren – 85 dBA (damage after 8 hours)
-
Helicopter – 105 dBA (damage in 5 minutes)
-
Jet Engine – 140 dBA (damage in seconds)
-
M-16 Rifle – 130–150 dBA
-
Pistol Fire – 157 dBA
-
Anti-Tank Missile – 166 dBA
-
Heavy Artillery – 185 dBA
Your ears don’t grow back. Damage to tiny hair cells in the inner ear is permanent.
Diagnosing Hearing Loss and Tinnitus in Veterans
Many veterans ignore their symptoms. Others don’t realize they’ve lost hearing until someone points it out.
Some red flags include:
-
Constant or occasional ringing in the ears
-
Struggling to follow conversations
-
Turning up the TV louder than others prefer
-
Feeling tired after social interactions
-
Withdrawing from noisy environments
If any of these sound familiar, it’s time for a hearing exam.
A licensed hearing care provider will conduct a full evaluation. This includes pure-tone audiometry and speech discrimination tests. These tests not only identify the extent of your hearing loss but also help qualify you for VA benefits.
Mental Health Effects of Untreated Hearing Loss
The impact of hearing loss and tinnitus isn’t just physical. Veterans report high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression linked to hearing conditions.
A 2015 study found that 58% of veterans with tinnitus also suffer from both anxiety and depression.
When you can’t hear well, you disconnect from others. That isolation increases mental health issues and reduces quality of life.
How to File a VA Disability Claim for Hearing Loss
The good news: you may qualify for VA disability benefits. The challenge: proving your hearing loss is service-related.
What You Need to File:
-
Service History – Active duty or training time must be clearly documented.
-
Medical Documentation – Hearing test results, provider notes, and evaluations are required.
-
Audiological Tests – Must include pure-tone and speech discrimination scores.
-
Proof of Connection – Medical records, incident reports, or expert opinions that link your hearing loss to military service.
A disability rating of at least 10% is required for compensation.
Understanding VA Disability Ratings for Hearing Loss
VA assigns ratings based on hearing loss severity and your ability to function in daily life.
-
10% – Minimum rating to receive benefits.
-
30–50% – Moderate to severe hearing loss.
-
100% – Total hearing loss or multiple service-connected disabilities.
Your benefits also depend on your household. Veterans with dependents receive higher monthly payments.
You can also claim secondary conditions, such as sleep apnea or depression, if they’re connected to your hearing loss or tinnitus.
Take Action Now—Get the Help You Deserve
If you served and now struggle to hear, you’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. The first step is getting tested.
At American Hearing + Audiology, we’re proud to serve those who served. Our hearing care providers understand veteran hearing needs and VA requirements. We’ll guide you through every step of the evaluation and claims process.
Schedule your hearing test today and take control of your hearing health.
Contact American Hearing + Audiology—because you’ve served us. Now let us serve you.
