Do any of my fellow combat arms friends have problems with tinnitus?

2016-07-26T15:55:30-04:00

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2016 4:01 PM

2016-07-26T16:01:31-04:00

Yes. I have had it since I was a Bass player in my high school marching band, and the Army (more specifically the Infantry) only exacerbated the issue. The ringing is fairly frequent now, but fortunately, no hearing loss up to this point. So I've got that going for me.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2016 4:30 PM

2016-07-26T16:30:03-04:00

Yep, minor hearing loss. It's an inconvenience.

Response by Sgt Chuck Stewart made Jul 26 at 2016 4:43 PM

2016-07-26T16:43:51-04:00

I don't think you need to be in combat to have tinnitus. I have it from being a mechanic working on tanks and small arms fire. If you have it, I receive 10% from the VA and I have very loud ringing in both ears all the time. Sometimes it keeps me awake at night

Response by SGT Damaso V Santana made Jul 26 at 2016 4:57 PM

2016-07-26T16:57:08-04:00

I have it, 10% is all they will pay, also hearing loss, another 10%.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2016 5:26 PM

2016-07-26T17:26:19-04:00

Severe. In both ears as well as chronic hearing loss. SGT Santana is correct, it's 10%. Get it documented because hearing aids do help.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 26 at 2016 5:30 PM

2016-07-26T17:30:25-04:00

Mild form, to many years at the range hearing M2's , and the main gun on the tanks.

Response by Col Dona Marie Iversen made Jul 26 at 2016 6:17 PM

2016-07-26T18:17:49-04:00

Tinnitus is a very common annoying aliment. It is not just combat related. Many have it worse in their left ear (driving with the window down). If you do get hearing aids, make certain the tone and volume is adjusted to a comfortable level otherwise it will only magnify the ringing.

Good Luck!

Response by MSG Pat Colby made Jul 26 at 2016 6:22 PM

2016-07-26T18:22:09-04:00

10% is my VA "reward". Back in 1981, I had a grenade simulator blow up within arms reach of my face. Shit has been ringing ever since. Fucking OPFOR was a bit too motivated about them Russian trenches at Bragg....

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2016 6:30 PM

2016-07-26T18:30:21-04:00

Huh?? I can't hear you over the ringing in my ears what'd you ask??

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Jul 26 at 2016 7:17 PM

2016-07-26T19:17:12-04:00

Yep, I have it and a mid range hearing loss. The audiologist was surprised by that.
It's so annoying that I have to have a t.v or radio playing to distract me from the ringing otherwise forget sleep.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jul 26 at 2016 7:21 PM

2016-07-26T19:21:07-04:00

Yes it's a constant irritation and aggravation a person has to live with and which not much can be done about. It is something that's hardly ever mentioned if at all. When compared to vets with much more serious disabilities and conditions it seems almost trivial and maddening at the same time.

Response by SSgt W. Aaron Gregory made Jul 26 at 2016 9:26 PM

2016-07-26T21:26:32-04:00

I have tinnitus, 10%/VA. It's the generators, test equipment, AC units, ROWPUs, power supplies, and generally very Alpha first sergeants.

Response by CPT Earl George made Jul 26 at 2016 9:39 PM

2016-07-26T21:39:45-04:00

Get 10% from the VA for it. Not too difficult to get depending on your MOS when you were on active duty. I was an Infantry officer who spent a lot of time with mortars.

Response by SGT Eric Flores made Jul 26 at 2016 10:10 PM

2016-07-26T22:10:50-04:00

I have very loud ringing in both ears, the VA recently denied me a % they claim it comes with age. I happen to shoot M50 cal and my ear protection felt off, ever since my ears have been ringing off-the hook.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jul 26 at 2016 10:46 PM

2016-07-26T22:46:42-04:00

Yes, I developed Bi-lateral Tinnitus as a Jump Master hanging out the doors of High Performance Aircraft wile in flight. Added to my VA Claim

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2016 11:47 PM

2016-07-26T23:47:59-04:00

Repeat question.

Response by Capt Michael Greene made Jul 27 at 2016 12:24 AM

2016-07-27T00:24:02-04:00

Any SM who has ringing in the ears more than a just right after experiencing loud noises should take the time to have a doctor document it in your medical record. Make a copy, showing that your military service caused your tinnitus.

It can develop into a problem later in life, and you should be compensated by the VA.

Response by SGT Cody Skinner made Jul 27 at 2016 9:33 AM

2016-07-27T09:33:10-04:00

I wasn't Combat Arms either and have Tinnitus (10% from VA). I was an MP and got it mostly from small arms fire and explosions in Iraq. There are some things that do help with it, but it never goes away 100%. For me less caffeine and using ear plugs to dampen out loud noises helps lessen the ringing in my ears. It always gets worse when I don't wear hearing protection for yard work, shooting, and other loud noises. I listen to radio really loud, except for when my kids are in the car, to drown out the ringing most of the time. After a while you just get used to hearing crickets at all times of the day and night. It's very frustrating to hear the same ringing day in and day our so sometimes I like to sit outside at night and listen to the real thing. All the real cricket and grasshopper chirping is much nicer and my ears play the tune right along with them.

Response by SGT Dennis Sweet made Jul 27 at 2016 9:39 AM

2016-07-27T09:39:15-04:00

Of course. I am a 12B Sapper (21B). My ply was EOD in OIF and we all suffer with tinnitus and hearing loss. We participated in route clearing and avenues of approach, among many various other missions.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jul 27 at 2016 10:20 AM

2016-07-27T10:20:39-04:00

NIH
Service members exposed to bomb blasts can develop tinnitus if the shock wave of the explosion squeezes the skull and damages brain tissue in areas that help process sound. In fact, tinnitus is one of the most common service-related disabilities among veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2016 1:02 PM

2016-07-27T13:02:54-04:00

Mine's probably from being too cool for ear-pro... And it wasn't THAT loud... My bad...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2016 1:05 PM

2016-07-27T13:05:24-04:00

Most personnel do develop tinnitus and some hearing loss is way too common. A lost of people honestly do more to their hearing in their personal time than on duty. A good rule of thumb is if you have to raise your voice at all to communicate at an arms reach, you should have ear pro on. Also, as far as earpro goes, the best kind is going to be whatever your use PROPERLY. A lot of soldiers typically done use their earpro as they should.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Jul 27 at 2016 2:30 PM

2016-07-27T14:30:10-04:00

20 years of flying helicopters with earplugs in and SPH4 over those and I still got it. It's very annoying and sometimes aggravates me more than other times. I have to use "white noise" to sleep. I have the 10% from the VA for tinnitus.

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Jul 27 at 2016 3:53 PM

2016-07-27T15:53:54-04:00

Yes, 30 years after my service. Have been tested and told not service related, even though I have a hearing test from 6 months after my ETS date.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2016 7:30 PM

2016-07-27T19:30:04-04:00

It comes and goes, sometimes I will be fine for months, and then it wakes me up at night.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Jul 28 at 2016 12:31 AM

2016-07-28T00:31:10-04:00

Between tank engines, generators, helicopter rides and some jumping from planes it is bound to happen. At times the ringing is louder than the person talking in front of me. Life goes on.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2016 2:54 PM

2016-07-29T14:54:10-04:00

I get it off and on again, never really had any trouble just ignoring it.

Response by SFC Domingo M. made Jul 30 at 2016 9:02 PM

2016-07-30T21:02:08-04:00

I have a P3 permanent hearing profile this being the main cause.

Response by SGT Daniel Nelson made Jul 31 at 2016 4:52 AM

2016-07-31T04:52:14-04:00

Yes. Daily.

Response by SGT Shawn Bellamy made Aug 5 at 2016 7:37 AM

2016-08-05T07:37:26-04:00

Constantly

Response by SGT Cathi Johnson made Aug 5 at 2016 10:56 PM

2016-08-05T22:56:29-04:00

Yes. The older I get it seems the louder it gets. Drives me crazy sometimes.

Response by SGT Tony Long made Aug 9 at 2016 3:44 PM

2016-08-09T15:44:38-04:00

The Department of Veterans Affairs says that tinnitus is the number 1 problem among veterans.

Response by SGT Nicholas Eineichner made Aug 11 at 2016 4:34 PM

2016-08-11T16:34:00-04:00

10% for tinnitus here. Was active duty 12B.

Response by SGT Keaven Brown made Aug 20 at 2016 1:22 AM

2016-08-20T01:22:07-04:00

45K...45L yes

Response by PV2 Jonathan Phillips, was Reagan made Aug 21 at 2016 6:56 PM

2016-08-21T18:56:31-04:00

I do. VA says it is not bad enough for them to do anything about.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Aug 25 at 2016 8:49 PM

2016-08-25T20:49:27-04:00

I have tinnitus SGT Private RallyPoint Member. I was exposed to many explosions and lots of small arms fire up to 50cal for a decade or so. I still have very good hearing despite the ringing in usually my left ear.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2016 9:00 PM

2016-08-25T21:00:00-04:00

Yes I have it in both of my hands

Response by SSG David Bennett made Aug 25 at 2016 9:09 PM

2016-08-25T21:09:30-04:00

Oohhhhh yes!!!!!! It sucks to. I get so tired of the ringing crickets chirping and the Va says mine is noncombat related. I told the retards I don't have heavy weapons, rockets mortars ieds at home to play with. I had perfect hearing during mob up for Iraq. Come back home with 90% hearing loss right ear 45 in the left

Response by CPT Tom Monahan made Aug 25 at 2016 11:49 PM

2016-08-25T23:49:03-04:00

As a former FA LT I can't tell what makes my ears ring more. Was it the sound of digital traffic in an FDC or the boom of the cannons? What did your Doc think on your last service physical?

Response by Col Rebecca Lorraine made Aug 26 at 2016 8:09 AM

2016-08-26T08:09:12-04:00

I have it so badly in my left ear, I believe it is a common symptom in veterans, but they really don't understand it. Certain things make it worse. Aspirin, caffeine, loud noises, stress, increased blood pressure, alcohol, in a quiet room, you can become much more aware of it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2016 12:00 PM

2016-08-26T12:00:36-04:00

I have it

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2016 12:06 PM

2016-08-26T12:06:07-04:00

In any MOS that has loud noises and where communication supercedes hearing protection (i.e. ear plugs) in training or combat there has (I dont have any statiscal data to support this) to be a significant number of hearing impairments.

Response by MSG Mitch Dowler made Aug 26 at 2016 3:29 PM

2016-08-26T15:29:45-04:00

I am Signal Corps have tinnitus due to the exposure to generators and being assigned with artillery units and aircraft noise. It can be very annoying sometimes and sometimes I am used to it. It seems to change over time from one to the other.

Response by MSG Mitch Dowler made Aug 26 at 2016 3:37 PM

2016-08-26T15:37:38-04:00

I am rated 10% for the tinnitus among other things. My units made us wear our earplug case on our LBV which was quickly caught in camouflage nets and lost. Every few hours I had to refuel generators for our commo nodes and get right next to the muffler to do so. Also exposes often to weapons fire, artillery, MLRS, aircraft and tanks.

When I claimed hearing loss and tinnitus during the VA exam the doctor asked if I ever mowed my lawn, listened to music or fired personal weapons. When I answered yes he said that was the cause of my tinnitus. I then pulled out my hearing test from MEPS and my ETS physical from 20 years later and laid them side by side and was approved for the 10%.

Response by SFC Hugh Perry made Aug 26 at 2016 3:43 PM

2016-08-26T15:43:43-04:00

Do any if us not? Should be the question.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2016 6:27 PM

2016-08-26T18:27:00-04:00

what? I can't hear you over the ringing...

Response by LTC Tom Jones made Aug 28 at 2016 8:27 AM

2016-08-28T08:27:43-04:00

Sand-bagged observation tower with a tin roof, a 50 Cal and the "whole 9 yards" of ammo equals a life time of never ending chatter.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Aug 28 at 2016 9:48 AM

2016-08-28T09:48:41-04:00

16 years on the flight line- shop was located for 12 of them at the end of the runway. When I first came in PPD was limited to 4 sets of headsets and foam ear plugs- worked F15 and 16s, B52s and A-10s. Equipment running in the hangers etc. VA has made getting the disability difficult for those of us still serving that came in back when it was to expensive to buy this stuff...you know the era of the 500 dollar hammer.

Response by CSM Christopher St. Cyr made Aug 28 at 2016 10:37 AM

2016-08-28T10:37:25-04:00

Define problem with tinnitus. I have found the hearing aids help reduce the ringing! Think about that for a minute. You hardly even notice it after 20 years. When I first joined the artillery world you could quickly pick out the guys who'd been around for awhile. You frequently failed to have conversations with them that did not include, "What!" "Say that again". Alas, I have become them.

Response by SSG Richard Entwistle made Aug 28 at 2016 11:52 AM

2016-08-28T11:52:56-04:00

Yes, but all I did is make sure it's in my med file, went to the VA for an hearing test , have not moved forward with any claims.but that is due to my laziness and aversion to paperwork and dealing with the system.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2016 2:51 PM

2016-08-28T14:51:32-04:00

i served with 5th bn 10 marines 8" arty 85-87, plus another 25 years with annual quals on your assigned weapon i have this dailly but va doesnt recognize because i also work in a factory

Response by SGT Cameron Sims made Aug 29 at 2016 6:23 AM

2016-08-29T06:23:37-04:00

I do..Sad thing is the most I have heard a person getting for it as a disability claim is 20%

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made Aug 29 at 2016 9:00 AM

2016-08-29T09:00:57-04:00

Have both tinnitus and hearing loss in both ears(profound in my left). Before going to the VA I consulted with a civilian physician who diagnosed both and provided documentation to support my VA claim. Interestingly, he asked that I not tell him my military specialty before the exam. When the results came back his first comment was "I see you were in the Infantry." He'd reached that conclusion based on results he'd seen over the years where Infantry veterans tended to have more serious hearing loss in their left ears. He believed the condition was the result of head position when firing a rifle. The left side is closer to the muzzle blast and therefore marginally more exposed to trauma.
BTW, he provided the consult, testing and documentation at no charge to combat vets.

Response by CPL Brian Birchell made Aug 29 at 2016 6:11 PM

2016-08-29T18:11:07-04:00

Oh yeah, both ears all the time. Sometimes worse than other times. File a claim with VA. It's a 10%disability.

Response by PV2 Daniel Moadus made Aug 31 at 2016 11:55 PM

2016-08-31T23:55:32-04:00

I served in Viet Nam in 1967 on Twin 40's. For those who don't know, twin 40's is side by side 40mm "pom pom" guns. Fired thousands of rounds with no ear protection. The government says my tinnitus is not due to that. Go figure. I was wounded when a RPG7 passed right through our turret without exploding. Passed between my right arm and my torso. I carry the shrapnel from it to this day. I got 10% for Scemic heart disease, but couldn't get anything for my hearing loss or tinnitus.

Response by SGT Steve Lovegrove made Sep 7 at 2016 9:18 PM

2016-09-07T21:18:30-04:00

Every day.... It's one of my conditions and it never goes away...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 9:21 PM

2016-09-07T21:21:16-04:00

Yes, never goes away...

Response by SSgt Mike Van Andre made Nov 25 at 2016 11:21 PM

2016-11-25T23:21:02-05:00

Yep, jet engines, noisy cockpits

Response by SP5 Charles Betts made Dec 1 at 2016 9:49 AM

2016-12-01T09:49:59-05:00

Yes....

Response by SPC Douglas Bolton made Dec 1 at 2016 12:03 PM

2016-12-01T12:03:50-05:00

Did any of you know that you can apply for compensation if you can prove that your tinnitus happened while you were in the service? Go to you local VA office and check it out.

Response by SSG Richard Hackwith made Dec 2 at 2016 6:06 PM

2016-12-02T18:06:36-05:00

Sure do, after five tank gunnery sessions. Bi-lateral tinnitus and bi-lateral hearing loss. Got 10% from the VA plus free hearing aids. Have had had the hearing aids for almost seven years now. The Siemens hearing aids I have now have a "white noise" type feature to help with the tinnitus.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Dec 2 at 2016 6:56 PM

2016-12-02T18:56:28-05:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member, I attended the Weapons NCO Supervisor Candidate Special Forces Course (SF weapons course) at Fort Bragg during the summer of 1970 and had completed 11C AIT earlier that same year. I've had severe high frequency loss in both ears since that time. This photo is of me hanging a round on 4.2" mortar at the SF heavy weapons FTX in AUG70. I'm not even sure we had ear plugs.

Response by SFC Domingo M. made Dec 3 at 2016 9:29 AM

2016-12-03T09:29:11-05:00

I posted a comment after I applied for disability to the VA and this is an update: It took about four months to get an appt for testing my hearing loss. I also had a copy of my 201 File which showed that I had been awarded a P-3 Hearing Profile in my 14th year in the military. That along with an up to date test at the VA facility is all it took to get approved. One month later I received a letter informing me of the results.....I received 10% for tinnitus and 40% for my bilateral hearing loss for a total of 50%. I should have done this right after I retired. I have been losing almost $1000 dollars per month. The VA made out pretty well as a result of my ignoring my wife all these years. Retired in 1990, that makes it 26 years x 12x $917.00=$286,104.00 These are just round numbers using current figures.

Response by SFC Arthur Tucker made Dec 15 at 2016 11:48 AM

2016-12-15T11:48:49-05:00

I have a bad case of tinnitus. Lot's of firearms exposure and 82mm mortar round hit the tree above my head and knocked me to the ground while in Vietnam during the 68 TET offensive.

Response by SSG Mike Simpson made Dec 15 at 2016 3:12 PM

2016-12-15T15:12:52-05:00

The VA will only give you 10% on Tinnitus even though I have severe high frequency hearing loss from being well within danger close on 1,000 pounders dropped by the AF in Vietnam. After 5 years of griping, the VA finally issued me hearing aids.

Response by SPC Douglas Hemmingway made Dec 15 at 2016 5:27 PM

2016-12-15T17:27:08-05:00

I lucked out as to service related tinnitus. I didn't have trouble with it until after the end of my last enlistment. Never go shooting with friends unless you've inquired as to that is your activity for the day. I served in Firing Batteries that were equipped with M-110A2 Howitzers for six out of my first twelve years and in the second six I served in Armor Companies equipped with M-60 and later M-60A3 Patton Tanks (yes the M-60 series tanks were the last of the Patton tanks.) I was the driver or the loader during that time. I was exposed to lots of loud noise as you can imagine. However I came out of that service with better hearing than most people of my age as of my last hearing test. I was in my early 40s at that time. I now though think that I have some hearing loss. I have a former Marine and his uncle who served in the Army as a vehicle mechanic. They invited me to go shooting last February, but didn't word the invitation that way. They said to meet at x-convience store and deli to meet up with y. Well we got to private training are z and they break out their ARs including an AR pistol. I found out the hard way that 5.56 mm/ .223 Remington is far louder out of a ten-inch barrel than out of the twenty-inch one I was used to from the M-16A1 and M-16A2. I still have a light ringing in my ears from that day though I can hear something better now than I could for nearly a month afterwards.

Response by MSgt George Cater made Dec 17 at 2016 7:59 PM

2016-12-17T19:59:22-05:00

Say agin?? Cain't hear ya fer this danged ringing in my ears.

Yep, I've got it. Earplugs and muffs most of the time shooting cept

Response by BG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2016 11:55 AM

2016-12-22T11:55:24-05:00

I have had it permanently since my second deployment. I just learned to tune it out and ignore it, much like my wife's nagging.

Response by SSG Larry Sabin made Dec 30 at 2016 12:04 AM

2016-12-30T00:04:05-05:00

Yes! And part of my VA disability rating reflects that. It's so bad sometimes that I have to create some noise to escape the ringing. Sometimes I can deal with it by shutting it out mentaly, but that lasts only long enough for me to realize that the ringing never stopped it's still there!

Response by GySgt Melissa Gravila made Feb 6 at 2017 6:43 AM

2017-02-06T06:43:48-05:00

Not just in combat arms- IT IS ANNOYING ( to not just me, but everyone else as well)

Response by MSgt George Cater made Feb 6 at 2017 9:19 AM

2017-02-06T09:19:54-05:00

Yes. Getting evaled by the VA D&C types soon (I hope). Wore earplugs and muffs when I shot pistol but have it anyway. Sounds like crickets to me.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Feb 6 at 2017 9:24 PM

2017-02-06T21:24:37-05:00

Despite religiously wearing hearing protection, I ended up with tinnitus in my left ear along with 1/3 hearing loss in the same ear (don't know for sure if the two are related or not).

Anyway, mine is relatively minor. Either it has diminished somewhat over the years, or I have just become used to it. I only hear the ringing when I think about it or if I am in a quiet place.

Response by PO3 James Bobiney made Feb 8 at 2017 4:24 AM

2017-02-08T04:24:21-05:00

All the time. I was in two armor units. The first term when I was a mechanic, HHC 3/64, 3ID. The 2nd 2/8 1CD when I was a Medic. It still bothers to this day. In fact, my ears are ringing as I type this.

Response by SSG Loyd Gant made Feb 9 at 2017 3:06 AM

2017-02-09T03:06:52-05:00

i have some serious ringing in both ears for 20+ years, i've been check but to date no relief and no real explanation, sometimes it's like a huey and sometimes like a generator or diesel engine but it's non-stop

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Apr 9 at 2017 1:03 PM

2017-04-09T13:03:46-04:00

Comes with the territory

Response by SFC Domingo M. made Aug 1 at 2018 7:28 AM

2018-08-01T07:28:36-04:00

I had to re-classify into a less noisy MOS after 14 years in the Infantry. I have hearing loss in the higher frequency ranges and I also suffer from tinnitus in both ears. I was medically boarded in 1984 and received a P-3 hearing profile. Since I retired, I believe it's gotten worse. I finally went to the VA for the first time 28 years after I retired and after some record fishing and a hearing test, the results were 50% disability. The only thing I was looking for was financial assistance on hearing aids. Just goes to show, the VA is there to help but they have to know there's a problem. Good luck and make sure your situation is documented in your Medical Records.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 1 at 2018 10:52 AM

2018-08-01T10:52:50-04:00

Yes, Dave- VA finally gave me hearing aids. Dang fools asked if I wore earplugs-I said yes at ranges, but with 4 conflicts- over half the time with an M60 or SAW close at hand ear plugs just didn't hack it. They gave me an "OH!"

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Aug 1 at 2018 7:44 PM

2018-08-01T19:44:20-04:00

I have severe hearing loss in both ears how much can be attributed to my Service time or to the various civilian jobs, after running jack hammers,working in a power plant,working with chippers and grinders as a welder most if not all without proper ear protection, not a smart boy was I! Oh and that B40 RPG blowing me off a paddy dike didn’t help.

Response by SSG George Holtje made Dec 6 at 2019 9:17 PM

2019-12-06T21:17:30-05:00

Huh? WHAT???!!!! Oh yeah! I do

Response by SPC Robert Bobo made Nov 30 at 2022 10:46 AM

2022-11-30T10:46:03-05:00

Yes, 12B Combat Engineer, qualifying with the old school M203 grenade launcher in 1974, I had dropped my left ear plug during course, I pressed on, the ringing continues every couple weeks since 1974, VA said I have tinnitus however, its normal!