When it comes to tinnitus, there is insufficient research funding and sporadic treatment services for our soldiers.
Portland, OR (PRWEB) May 20, 2014
Many U.S. veterans return home with wounds that are invisible to the public. One of the most common of these internal wounds is chronic tinnitus, an auditory and neurological condition in which the patient perceives buzzing, ringing, or hissing when no external sound is present. Tinnitus is the number one service-related disability for U.S. veterans, accounting for 971,990 VA claims in 2012. The American Tinnitus Association (ATA) urges the U.S. Congress, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Department of Defense to allocate more resources to tinnitus research and management, so that we can fulfill our national commitment to honor veterans.
"The best way to support veterans-- men and women who have sacrificed themselves for our country--is to heal the wounds they incurred in service. Unfortunately, when it comes to tinnitus, there is insufficient research funding and sporadic treatment services for our soldiers," said Cara James, Executive Director of the American Tinnitus Association. "While the Department of Veterans Affairs has made important inroads into tinnitus management, more must be done to provide relief to veterans around the country."
Investing in effective tinnitus management and research would also be a smart financial decision for the U.S. Armed Services and American taxpayers. According to an analysis of data conducted by ATA, the VA spent $1.2 billion on tinnitus-related compensation to veterans in 2012. With tinnitus claims growing at the historical annual rate of 15%, the total cost for service-related disability compensation alone is expected to exceed $3 billion by 2017.
"If the military and VA were to proactively spend just 15% of this amount on prevention, research and treatment, it would be a true game-changer," said James. "This would be a worthwhile investment in the well-being of our service personnel and veterans, as well as a value for the American public."
Tinnitus is most often the result of noise exposure, either from a single, extreme impulse sound or cumulative exposure over time. Because of the unique nature of military machinery and activities, service personnel are particularly prone to such traumatic noise exposure. Tinnitus is also a symptom closely related to Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSI.) A 2009 study found that 60% of all soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan exposed to concussive blasts developed tinnitus as a direct consequence.
About the American Tinnitus Association
The American Tinnitus Association (ATA) is the nation's foremost nonprofit organization committed to curing tinnitus. For over 40 years, ATA has helped patients understand and manage the "ringing in their ears" and raised resources for advanced tinnitus research. Since 1971, ATA has contributed nearly $6 million to medical research projects focused on curing tinnitus. For more information, please visit http://www.ata.org.
About Tinnitus Awareness Week
May 18-24, 2014 is Tinnitus Awareness Week, an annual event coordinated by ATA to raise public awareness of the condition and help develop resources to silence tinnitus. Tinnitus Awareness Week is traditionally held in May, which was designated as "National Better Hearing and Speech Month" by President Ronald Reagan in 1986. For more information, please visit http://www.ata.org/taw.