Hearing Loss, Health Outcomes, and Health Behavior Differences Between Active Duty Service Members and Recently...

The health disparities and health-related behaviors between Active Duty Service Members (ADSM) and Veterans are poorly understood. Our study aims to compare hearing, health outcomes, and health behaviors in ADSM with recently separated Veterans, offering insights into post-service health trajectories and potential separation factors.

Participants were from the Noise Outcomes In Service Members Epidemiology study. Participants underwent in-person audiologic examinations and provided self-reported data on military exposures, mental and physical health, broader health and lifestyle behaviors, and quality of life. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to estimate the associations between military status (ADSM and Veterans) with hearing, physical well-being, and mental health status.

760 ADSM and 758 Veterans' data were analyzed. Active Duty Service Members and Veterans were of similar age (mean 34.1 and 34.3 years, respectively) and years of military service (mean 12.1 and 11.9 years, respectively). Veterans were more likely than ADSM to have low-frequency hearing loss (odds ratio [OR]: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.2, 2.9) and self-report at least 1 physical health condition (OR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.7, 2.9) and at least 1 mental health condition (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.3, 2.4). Veterans were more likely to report poor/fair health (OR: 2.8; 95% CI: 2.0, 3.9) and smoking habit (OR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.3, 2.2) compared to ADSM.

Results underscore the significant health challenges faced by individuals transitioning from Active Duty to civilian life. The disparities in health outcomes and behaviors highlight the need for targeted interventions and support systems to address the health concerns of Veterans.