Facts About Tinnitus
Facts About Tinnitus
Facts About Tinnitus
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The American Tinnitus Association exists to cure tinnitus through the development of resources that advance tinnitus research.
Facts about the Military, Veterans and tinnitus Tinnitus, commonly defined as ringing in the ears, is often a debilitating condition that ruthlessly reduces quality of life for those chronically affected. Tinnitus is the number one service-connected disability for returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan (three consecutive years). Tinnitus is most often the result of extreme noise exposure from either a single impulse noise or the accumulation of noise exposure; head and neck injury is the second leading cause. Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) detonate at decibel levels of 140 dBA+ which is loud enough to immediately leave soldiers with a painful and constant reminder of their service. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in 2009 there were over 760,000 veterans receiving service-connected tinnitus disability. At the current rate of increase, the number of veterans service-connected for tinnitus will increase to over 1.5 million by 2014. Those 760,000 Vets translate into $1.12 billion annually for compensation as of 2009. At the current rate of increase, service-connected disability payments to veterans with tinnitus by the VA will increase to over $2.26 billion by 2014. Walter Reed Army Medical Center recently conducted a study of soldiers coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan; the study concluded that of all those exposed to IEDs, 49 percent reported having tinnitus. In 2009, in the United States, there was only approximately $10 million combined from various organizations and agencies for tinnitus research. It costs $4.3 million to create an M1 Abrams Tank, $5.9 million to engineer an M1 Helicopter and $18.8 million to make an F-16 Fighter Jet. The Army is the only branch of the military that requires ear plugs as part of its uniform. Examples of Sound Levels Associated with Military Equipment used in 2005
IOM Study on Noise in the Mlitary: Implications for Tinnitus and Hearing Loss (2005)
Type of Equipment Apache Helicopter 9mm Pistol 5.56mm automatic weapon fired from HMMWV Grenade 105mm towed howitzer
The American Tinnitus Association exists to cure tinnitus through the development of resources that advance tinnitus research