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Hearing loss associated with US military combat deployment.
Timothy S Wells1, Amber D Seelig, Margaret A K Ryan
1Advanced Analytics Optum, Ann Arbor, MI, San Diego, CA, USA.
Noise & Health
|January 21, 2015
Summary
Military deployment, especially combat, significantly increases the risk of new-onset hearing loss. Factors like improvised explosive device proximity and head injuries further elevate this risk, impacting service members
Area of Science:
- Military Health
- Occupational Health
- Audiology
Background:
- Hearing loss is a prevalent concern among military personnel.
- Deployment experiences may contribute to hearing loss risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the risk of new-onset hearing loss in US military members.
- To examine the association between deployment experiences and hearing loss.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Millennium Cohort Study (48,540 participants).
- Combined self-reported data with objective military service records.
- Assessed hearing loss using self-reports and audiometric measures.
Main Results:
- 7.5% of participants reported new-onset hearing loss.
- Combat deployment was associated with a 1.63 odds ratio for hearing loss.
- Improvised explosive device proximity (AOR=2.10) and combat head injury (AOR=6.88) increased risk.
Conclusions:
- Combat deployment is a significant risk factor for hearing loss in military members.
- Specific combat exposures like IEDs and head injuries substantially elevate hearing loss risk.
- Findings support enhanced prevention, healthcare, and disability planning for military personnel.
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