Veterans and Tinnitus

The word tinnitus comes from the Latin verb "to jingle" and is a sensation of noise originating inside the head and is typically only heard by the person affected. 

Tinnitus is the #1 service-related injury among veterans

According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, tinnitus is the number one service-related injury among veterans, and it affects at least one in every 10 American adults.

Tinnitus can be as individual as you are

It can be:

  • A buzzing or ringing in the ears
  • A hissing or roaring sound
  • High-, low-, single- or multi-toned
  • Occasional or constant

The leading cause of tinnitus is overexposure to loud noises

However it can also be caused by accidents, ear infections, aging or stress. For veterans specifically, the repetitive sound of a machine gun or other loud noises of war can make you more susceptible to tinnitus. 

And it can be a devastating condition

For many veterans, tinnitus brings an often unwelcome reminder of war. When it is associated with a negative emotional response, it can make your brain pay more attention to the tinnitus. And a cycle begins that affects your nervous system. Anxiety, sleep disturbance, depression and poor concentration can occur, all of which reinforce the vicious cycle. 

But you don't have to just live with it

Many of ReSound's hearing aids offer a Tinnitus Sound Generator which, in combination with proper therapy, can bring you significant relief. If you're a veteran suffering from tinnitus, you're not alone. 
Find a VA facility near you