Combat hearing loss
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Frequently frozen MN
Combat hearing loss
I recently lost some hearing as a result of firing a couple of rounds from my 12 gauge. (I'm in my 60's, so my ears are more apt to suffer from loud noises).
Anyway, it got me to wondering about GIs who have been in combat, and how it affected their hearing. I did a little googling, but all I can find is information on the problems being faced by soldiers of today.
Certainly the fact that there are loud noises hasn't changed. But, I can't find anything discussing this issue for WW2, Korean, or even Vietnam vets. It's reported as if it's a new phenomenom that just started in recent years.
Anybody know of any info on this odd topic? I can't say that I've ever heard anything about it.
Just wondering,
Anyway, it got me to wondering about GIs who have been in combat, and how it affected their hearing. I did a little googling, but all I can find is information on the problems being faced by soldiers of today.
Certainly the fact that there are loud noises hasn't changed. But, I can't find anything discussing this issue for WW2, Korean, or even Vietnam vets. It's reported as if it's a new phenomenom that just started in recent years.
Anybody know of any info on this odd topic? I can't say that I've ever heard anything about it.
Just wondering,
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Great State of Texas
Actually there seems to a lot of info on military related hearing loss on the internet. Most related to our current military engagements.
Here's a bit of a blog from some WW2 and Vietnam Vets.
Veterans and Hearing Loss
This is how I Googled:
"hearing loss in the military"
Here's a bit of a blog from some WW2 and Vietnam Vets.
Veterans and Hearing Loss
This is how I Googled:
"hearing loss in the military"
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Plenty of hearing loss stories from earlier wars.
Age doesn't matter. Hear loss is cumulative, so it may seem to younger folks they aren't losing much, but they are....
Mine are ringing right now. In fact, they always ring... (non-combat related, just to be clear, mostly my own foolishness)
Age doesn't matter. Hear loss is cumulative, so it may seem to younger folks they aren't losing much, but they are....
Mine are ringing right now. In fact, they always ring... (non-combat related, just to be clear, mostly my own foolishness)
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Great State of Texas
Yup. Me to. High range is gone. Bought hearing aids but don't use them much. Comes in handy around a house full of women. 
Played drums in a regional rock and roll band in my youth. Motor cycles, hunting, military, more skeet shooting than I should admit to. Paying the price now.
Played drums in a regional rock and roll band in my youth. Motor cycles, hunting, military, more skeet shooting than I should admit to. Paying the price now.
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From: Maine, Virginia
I'm also a hearing loss sufferer related to military duty. I spent way too much time on board ships the use high pitch machines such as motor generator sets and other loud machinery.
Post Fiend
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From: Great State of Texas
Air Force Security had me on the firing ranges a lot in the mid 70s and the flight line got a bit noisy as well. Hearing protection didn't amount to much. Things did quiet down when I moved to missile security. Out in the country a lot.
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Cargo Master
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From: Frequently frozen MN
Thanks guys, special thanks for the blog kw.
That was my point -- I couldn't find anything substantial about earlier issues. From what I read in the blog, it seems that they just pretty much ignored it.
I did lose some high frequency hearing when I was in the USAF -- earplugs on the flight line were for sissies. This last issue is the result of cumulative effects -- surprised me because I've been pretty good about ear protection for quite a while now. The doc says that the little hairs just get ripped right off -- not a pleasant thought.
Thanks again guys
Actually there seems to a lot of info on military related hearing loss on the internet. Most related to our current military engagements
I did lose some high frequency hearing when I was in the USAF -- earplugs on the flight line were for sissies. This last issue is the result of cumulative effects -- surprised me because I've been pretty good about ear protection for quite a while now. The doc says that the little hairs just get ripped right off -- not a pleasant thought.
Thanks again guys
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Wear hearing protection when shooting....anything bigger than an air rifle needs hearing protection.
Otherwise you will have the perpetual ringing in your ears.
Talked to a local soldier....who can't hear worth a crap...cause he's had about three humvee's blown out from under him by ied's. Just the nature of the game.
Otherwise you will have the perpetual ringing in your ears.
Talked to a local soldier....who can't hear worth a crap...cause he's had about three humvee's blown out from under him by ied's. Just the nature of the game.
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My old neighbor was in Korea, in a squad running one of these:
File:M20 75 mm recoilless rifle korean war.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
They had an airplane go down, and the Chinese started to shell the airplane. So he and his guys started to shell the Chinese, and kept at it all afternoon.
He couldn't hear worth a crap.
Look at the men in the picture. You don't need sound to hear the thousand words that picture speaks about LOUD.
File:M20 75 mm recoilless rifle korean war.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
They had an airplane go down, and the Chinese started to shell the airplane. So he and his guys started to shell the Chinese, and kept at it all afternoon.
He couldn't hear worth a crap.
Look at the men in the picture. You don't need sound to hear the thousand words that picture speaks about LOUD.
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