Hearing aid care for veterans

Are you a U.S. veteran struggling with hearing loss or tinnitus? You're not alone. Annually, about one million veterans receive disability compensation for hearing loss and ringing in the ears. 

In fact, because of routine exposure to loud noise in active combat and other on-the-job activities, hearing loss and tinnitus are the most prevalent service-related injuries that disable veterans, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 

To help veterans coping with hearing loss or related disorders like tinnitus, the VA offers two main services:

• free or low-cost hearing health care (such as hearing aids) through VA health benefits,
• and monthly tax-free payments through VA disability compensation.

Are you eligible for hearing aids from the VA?

To receive hearing aids or similar devices (such as a cochlear implant), you first must qualify for VA health benefits. Once enrolled, veterans can seek out benefits for hearing tests, examinations and hearing aids. To begin this process, veterans should apply for enrollment online or by calling 1-877-222-VETS or visiting a local VA healthcare facility or regional office.

Once you are approved

Once approved for VA health care benefits, all Veterans "shall receive a hearing evaluation by a state-licensed audiologist to determine the need for hearing aids," according to the VA's 2014 directive for eye and ear care. However, not every veteran will necessarily receive hearing aids. As the directive explains (page 1-2), the following veterans are most likely to receive hearing aid care are:

• "Those with any compensable service connected disability.
• Those who are former Prisoners of War.
• Those who were awarded a Purple Heart. 
• Those in receipt of benefits under 38 U.S.C. 1151.
• Those in receipt of an increased pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being permanently house-bound.
• Those who have a visual or hearing impairment resulting from the existence of another medical condition for which the Veteran is receiving VA care, or which resulted from treatment of that medical condition.
• Those with significant functional or cognitive impairment evidenced by deficiencies in activities of daily living, but not including normally occurring visual or hearing impairments.
• Those visually or hearing impaired so severely that the provision of sensori-neural aids is necessary to permit active participation in their own medical treatment."

Page 3 of the directive further explains what levels of hearing loss meets the criteria for an audiologist to prescribe hearing aids in this group.

In some cases, a veteran will not qualify for any hearing care benefits, or will have to pay co-pays. For additional information regarding hearing aid coverage through the VA, contact a representative at the nearest VA medical center to begin hearing loss treatment discussions. 

Information on signing up for benefits, ordering hearing batteries, wax guards and other accessories is also found on the VA Health Care's Hearing Aids page. 

VA disability for hearing loss 

If you experienced hearing loss or another auditory problem as a result of service in the U.S. military, you also may be eligible for disability compensation. To find out more, visit VA disability compensation.

Can you see a local provider?

Thanks to the MISSION Act of 2018, veterans now have greater access to hearing care providers in their local community. VA Community Care, as its known, may be available to you if you live too far from a VA clinic, or if there is a long waiting time to get an appointment at the closest VA facility. This welcome kit provides more detailed information.  Increasingly, the VA is also offering teleaudiology for veterans who can't travel far.

Veterans and auditory processing disorder

If you've taken a hearing test and been told you have normal hearing—but still struggle to understand speech—you may have what's known as auditory processing disorder. VA researchers discovered that auditory processing disorder is often linked to blast exposure. 

Veterans and tinnitus

Tinnitus is a common problem among veterans. If you have ringing in the ears, you may qualify for hearing care, disability payments, and the VA's progressive tinnitus management program. Those interested should contact their local VA office for more information. Tinnitus has no known cure, but several techniques can be used to help sufferers acclimate to the sound and manage their reactions to flare-ups.  

Hearing loss support for veterans

The non-profit Hearing Loss Association of America has both a general information page for veterans and an online support group for veterans.

Preventing hearing loss in today's military

Veterans over 65—especially those who spent an extended amount of time deployed in combat zones—are at nearly twice the risk of developing severe hearing loss compared to their peers. 

Current service members can protect themselves against future hearing loss by following these protective measures:

• Minimize exposure to noisy environments: While it may not be possible to choose your level of exposure to loud sounds, do try to limit loud sound exposure, both at work and off-duty. Members of the military are at high risk of noise-induced hearing loss. 
• Wear hearing protection: As much as possible, service members should wear protective barriers for their ears. Gunfire is a major cause of hearing loss.
• Protect the head to prevent trauma or injury: Protecting yourself against head trauma can reduce the chance of injuries that can contribute to hearing loss.
• Have regular hearing check-ups: After a baseline hearing test, military personnel should have their hearing checked at least every two years to catch any changes early, according to the VA.