One of the most common disabilities shared by our servicemen and women is hearing loss. Exposure to gunfire, explosions, artillery, airships, machinery, and countless other war time factors can play havoc on a soldier's inner ear. It comes as no surprise than many men and women return from overseas with damaged hearing, partial hearing loss, and even full-blown deafness.

Now more than ever, Veterans’ Affairs are seeing the number of veterans with hearing issues and hearing damage begin to grow. On one hand, young men and women who are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are suffering from military-related hearing loss, while on the other hand, aging soldiers who fought in Vietnam or the first Gulf War are also beginning to discover new instances of hearing loss related to wartime trauma.

Shockingly, a 2004 audiology study found that almost one in three people who come back from a war zone have damaged hearing. While the government has worked to safeguard those who work in loud areas with ear protection, there is simply no full-proof way to guard a soldier from hearing loss.

Can you get veterans disability benefits if your hearing loss or deafness was a direct cause of your service in the military?

Absolutely. According to the Army's Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, over 400,000 veterans collect benefits because of hearing loss and hearing damage.

If you would like to apply for veterans’ disability benefits for your own hearing damage or inner-ear issues, please contact one of our veterans’ disability benefits attorney today.

James R. Keller
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Partner at Keller & Keller