My hearing was permanently damaged in my teens. Joined the AF at 17 and was assigned to a Matador unit in Orlando after tech school, then to Germany with the 11th TMS. The Matador had an Allison J33A37 engine and a 68,000 pound thrust RATO bottle to kick it off a zero length launcher. Went from 0 to 250 mph in 2.5 seconds!
I was a guidance technician on a combat launch crew, so we had plenty of engine noise during simulated launches. A bigger problem was system checkout at the engine run shack, where we did a power transfer at 104% throttle and switched to internal missile power, while monitoring the guidance system for any drop outs.
Of course the engine run crew operated from a sound proof room adjacent to the missile, but never thought to provide ear protection for us guidance types standing outside, and closer to the engine tail pipe! One ten minute blast of very painful noise, followed by many hours of strange silence because we could no longer hear!
That was my first tour of duty, and I could never pass another hearing test without cheating.
When I retired in 1975 the AF personal that did my separation physical were astounded that my hearing went from normal, to a severe loss, in less than the year or so since my last hearing test!
Boeing paid for my first hearing aides, but they were next to useless. Went years after retirement from Boeing thinking the VA didn't cover aides, but met a condo neighbor about ten years ago who told me they had changed coverage to include hearing aides. My oldest daughter was unrelenting when dealing with authorities, so she made the call to the VA. Next thing I knew I had an appointment at the VA. A month or so later I went back to be fitted for my new Oticon aides. Best aides money can buy, and free batteries for life included. I'm told the aides get replaced later this year. I could not be happier with the VA.
Some months later I was told I had another hearing test and interview, with a civilian VA contractor in Portland. Went in fearing I might lose my hearing coverage, but what they were most interested in was my mention of possible Tinnitus during my first VA physical. After the testing and interview they told me they suspected I did have Tinnitus, and were sending the test results to the VA. Next thing I knew, I had a 40% disability from the VA.
My Tinnitus symptoms are strange, but I guess real enough. My symptoms are constant 60 cycle noise, but that is easily masked by music (like you Ken), or any other constant noise. The overriding sound that I can't mask is the music they play at end of day on military installations, or at military funerals. It's a beautiful bugle number, and out of nowhere I hear it as if I were standing in formation near the bugle player! The source for this must have been the base PA system speaker that was just outside my barracks window for years. No insulated windows then, so I heard Taps played at high volume every night I was in my room.
Unfortunately, my hearing comprehension can't be helped by any hearing aides, and I've been watching TV with captioning turned on and sound turned off for many years.
Wish you luck Ken! Mike is right though, request a VA advocate before you apply for benefits. If nothing else they will help you get past most of the negativity of far too many medical and administrative personnel still hanging on at the VA. Appointments are slow to get with the VA because of the work load, but I can't complain about the service.
Bill
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