By Eric Stock
NORMAL – As military men and women return from the battlefield, an often overlooked health concern is their hearing.
A study at Illinois State University is looking for answers.
Antony Joseph is an assistant professor, retired Navy commander and audiologist who has worked for years on hearing loss caused by explosions.
“I’ve actually spoken with a lot of these professional warriors who have said ‘Hey doc, whatever you can do to help me hear better. It’s very important for me to be able to hear my family and have the quality of life I want,’ ” Joseph said.
Joseph said the problem caught the attention of the Defense Department when hearing loss problems cost the federal government $2 billion per year in Veterans Affairs compensation.
“Auditory injury which includes things like hearing loss and ringing in the ears, is one of the top most compensable occupational injuries that we know of,” Joseph said.
Joseph noted that explosions can be more harmful than sustained loud noise because it can cause injury to the brain and other parts of the body.
The study is being funded by federal grants totaling $1.2 million and is expected to last three years.
Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.
