Tinnitus is the most common service-connected disability, affecting almost 3 million veterans in 2023. It’s a condition that causes you to hear unique noises that aren’t actually there. You may hear sounds like ringing or humming inside your head that interfere with daily life and impact operational performance. Certain job duties, like working on an aircraft carrier flight deck or in infantry, put you at increased risk of developing tinnitus.

What Is Tinnitus?

People with tinnitus experience sounds even when their environment is quiet. These phantom sounds can range in volume, pitch and consistency. To be diagnosed as tinnitus within the military health system, the sounds must occur at least twice a week for five minutes or more. Tinnitus often improves on its own and will eventually go away, but it can also get worse over time. If it lasts at least 6 months, it’s considered chronic.

  • Ringing
  • Buzzing
  • Hissing
  • Sizzling
  • Roaring
  • Clicking
  • Chirping
  • Whistling
  • Humming
  • Squealing

Why Are Warfighters at Higher Risk?

In most cases, tinnitus happens because you were exposed to loud noise. This exposure, whether sudden or cumulative, can damage your ears and cause hearing loss. Warfighters are likely to experience frequent loud noise as part of their job, especially in combat settings. You may need to use or be near loud equipment, such as heavy machinery, power tools and firearms. Vehicles and aircraft may also generate excessive noise in military environments.

In addition, Warfighters may face an increased risk of tinnitus due to head injuries and chemical exposure that result from mission requirements.

How Does Tinnitus Impact Mission Readiness?

Tinnitus negatively affects Warfighter health and performance. About 90% of people with tinnitus have hearing loss, which can cause problems in operational environments. Having trouble hearing lowers your ability to communicate with your unit and could put the mission in jeopardy. Those with tinnitus may also struggle to sleep and concentrate, making it difficult to perform daily life activities and assigned job duties. In general, tinnitus contributes to poorer mental health, a lower quality of life and reduced performance.

What Can I Do to Protect Myself?

Limiting noise exposure is the best way to prevent tinnitus. However, it may be impossible to avoid certain operational environments with loud noises. When you can, use these methods to protect your hearing.

Ear Protection

Wearing earmuffs or earplugs when you’re around loud noise can prevent damage to the cells of your inner ear. If you need to communicate, try custom earplugs that lower overall volume without muffling sound. Playing music too loudly in headphones or earbuds can also put your ears at risk. When using these devices, keep the volume at a low level.

Noise Breaks

Spending a long period of time in a loud environment increases your risk of hearing loss and tinnitus. When possible, step away from these areas periodically. Allowing your ears to rest helps prevent tinnitus and lessen its severity.

Healthy Lifestyle

Consistently practicing healthy behaviors can help preserve your hearing. Following a nutrient-dense eating plan, being regularly active and limiting substance use (e.g., alcohol and nicotine) can boost your overall health and support the wellbeing of your ears and auditory system.

Hearing Exam

Understanding your hearing ability can help you monitor changes in your ear health. Have your hearing tested annually if you work in loud environments or have a family history of hearing loss. Otherwise, a hearing exam every three years is typically recommended.

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