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Hearing loss is biggest disability among military veterans, expert says
As thousands of wounded warriors and military veterans battle disabilities and injuries every day, the most common ailment often gets overlooked.
Tinnitus, or ringing in the ear, is the leading disability in the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), according to Dr. Tom Tedeschi, chief audiology director for Amplifon Hearing Health Care.
Utah-based Tedeschi, who is also a Vietnam-era Army veteran, shared with Fox News Digital how prevalent hearing loss and complications are among the veteran community.
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About 60% of Vietnam veterans and 50% of Gulf War veterans suffer from hearing loss, according to the expert.
“It’s estimated that probably one out of every three veterans has some degree of hearing loss or tinnitus,” he said. “And it’s just because we’re around noise all the time … The military is not a quiet place.”
Everyone’s hearing is different, Tedeschi said, with various sound levels affecting people in different ways.
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“For some people, if they hear a loud noise like a gunshot, it can damage their hearing permanently,” he noted. “Other people can sustain a lot of noise, and it won’t cause permanent damage right away.”
Different roles in the military will have different levels of exposure to loud sounds, Tedeschi said – but for some combat-facing soldiers, even during peace time, there’s plenty of “sustained” noise.
Although hearing protection is issued for military personnel, Tedeschi said it’s not always “practical,” especially in active combat.
“There are more people now under the age of 50 with hearing loss than over the age of 50.”
When hearing is lost, it “doesn’t grow back,” the expert cautioned — and even mild hearing loss in young veterans can become more severe with time.
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“When we’re young, we still believe we’re invincible and that hearing loss is not going to happen … that it’s an ‘old person thing,’ which isn’t true,” he said.
“There are more people now under the age of 50 with hearing loss than over the age of 50.”
Care and protection
The biggest hurdle in addressing hearing complications among veterans is acknowledging the problem, according to Tedeschi.
“Most people who have hearing loss do not acknowledge it,” he said. “It’s the people around them who notice.”
Tedeschi urged veterans to seek help if they experience a constant ringing in the ears, otherwise known as tinnitus, or trouble hearing while having conversations or watching TV.
“We can’t cure [tinnitus] or make it completely disappear, but there are different protocols and strategies to help,” he said.
This could include wearing hearing aids, which Tedeschi said are “light years ahead” of what they were a decade ago.
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Tedeschi emphasized the importance of wearing proper hearing protection, like ear buds and earmuffs, both in and out of combat.
“We live in a noisy world,” he said. “If you’re out mowing the lawn, you should pop in some hearing protection. A lot of people love to go to concerts … Those are loud and they can sustain damage.”
If you hear ringing after a concert or other loud event, that means you’ve sustained some damage to your ears, Tedeschi cautioned.
While there is usually a recovery period, in some cases the damage can be permanent, he said.
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Some medications, like aspirin, can cause hearing loss as a side effect, Tedeschi warned.
“If you’re taking a lot of aspirin for arthritis or things like this, you need to be careful – and talk to your doctor about whether there is an alternative,” he advised.
Tedeschi encouraged veterans to seek help to avoid further complications linked to hearing loss, such as cognitive decline.
“We’re seeing more and more individuals with untreated hearing loss who have faster decline in their cognitive function, because the brain is working overtime to compensate,” he told Fox News Digital.
“We’re seeing more and more individuals with untreated hearing loss who have faster decline in their cognitive function.”
“For our veterans, you need to know there’s help out there for you, and there’s no need to experience all the co-morbidities associated with hearing loss.”
Veterans can visit their local VA center to have their hearing evaluated or connect with their counselor for a referral to a hearing loss specialist.
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Alzheimer’s patient, 90, says skiing and other activities keep him mentally sharp
Six years after his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, 90-year-old Zelik (Zel) Bocknek refuses to slow down — and he believes his active lifestyle is key to keeping his symptoms at bay.
Bocknek, a retired business owner in Toronto, Ontario, was 84 when he began experiencing minor memory slips, such as forgetting the day of the week and not knowing the answers to basic questions.
After being diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s, he was offered the opportunity to join a clinical trial studying an experimental dementia drug, lecanemab (LEQEMBI), which was approved in July 2023.
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Since the trial ended 18 months ago, Bocknek has continued taking the medication and still enjoys his favorite activities, including downhill skiing, painting and volunteering at the local zoo.
“You have to keep yourself active, both physically and mentally,” Bocknek told Fox News Digital in an interview. “It’s important to stay busy.”
“Last year was the first time in over 70 years that I didn’t ski because it was such a mild winter,” he said. “I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this year will be better.”
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Bocknek also regularly works out at the gym to stay in prime skiing shape, he and his wife, Gail Bocknek, told Fox News Digital during an interview.
His exercises of choice are stretch classes and strength training with weights.
Painting has become another passion project. Since starting with paint-by-numbers projects, Bocknek has cultivated his skills and now paints complex works of art for his six grandchildren to display in their bedrooms.
“I’m now on my 75th painting,” he said.
Volunteering is also part of his regular routine — Bocknek works as a greeter at the Toronto Zoo, where he welcomes and guides visitors, and also puts in hours at a local hospital.
He also regularly plays bridge with three different groups throughout the week.
Bockneck has not experienced any additional cognitive decline, which he attributes to his busy schedule.
“I am what I am today because I have been very active throughout my life, physically and mentally.”
“I am what I am today because I have been very active throughout my life, physically and mentally,” he said.
“And it’s important to be able to laugh — a sense of humor gets you through a lot of difficult times.”
Fighting Alzheimer’s with exercise
Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, which preserves the health of neurons, according to Dr. Gail Saltz, associate professor of psychiatry at the New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill-Cornell School of Medicine.
“This includes cognitive functions, memory functions and even centers related to mood,” Saltz, who has not treated Bocknek, told Fox News Digital.
“To be clear, this will not stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, but it may slow its cognitive effect.”
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Beyond cognition, exercise also helps to improve patients’ physical health, including their cardiovascular system, flexibility and muscular systems, Saltz noted.
“Improving or preventing the decline of these body systems also helps the Alzheimer’s patient by allowing them to be continued participants in daily grooming, walking, going to appointments, physically feeling better and extending life,” she added.
Physical activity can also help to prevent nighttime wandering, a common danger among Alzheimer’s patients due to dysfunction in their circadian rhythms, according to Sherri Snelling, a gerontologist and spokesperson for Comfort Keepers in California.
“Keeping an Alzheimer’s adult physically active during the day will help to create more natural exhaustion so they can achieve better sleep during the night,” Snelling, who also has not treated Bocknek, told Fox News Digital.
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Spending time outdoors in the sunshine also increases serotonin, the expert noted, which can help to decrease agitation or episodes of “sundowning,” which is when patients have outbursts, delusions and paranoia during dusk.
Any activity that increases heart rate can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s, the experts agreed.
“Any movement releases endorphins, which are ‘feel-good’ hormones and natural pain relievers,” Snelling said.
“I’m relaxed and going on with my life as best I can, for as long as I can.”
Snelling recommended several specific activities that are most beneficial for dementia patients.
“Walking is great – and doing it with help is important, because balance issues may cause a loved one to fall,” she said.
Yoga or tai chi are also recommended for older adults with Alzheimer’s.
“Swimming or water aerobics are also wonderful for older adults – the natural resistance of the water is great for muscle strength, and the tactile feel of the water is soothing to AD adults,” Snelling said, adding that it’s important for a companion or caregiver to be present for safety.
Making music is also helpful, she said, as musical memory is retained the longest in an Alzheimer’s brain.
Staying social
Socialization and interaction can also help to slow dementia-related decline, according to Snelling.
“It has been reported that we can prevent cognitive decline and delay the onset of Alzheimer’s if we keep mentally active and frequently participate in social activities,” she told Fox News Digital.
This is another reason that Snelling is a proponent of in-home care.
“While they are able to do so, it’s important for Alzheimer’s patients to remain at home, in familiar surroundings,” she said.
Alzheimer’s cases in the U.S. are projected to rise from six million to 13 million by 2050.
To others who may be experiencing cognitive symptoms, Bocknek says it’s important to take steps to get a diagnosis as soon as possible.
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“As soon as you feel there’s any sort of problem with your memory or your brain, go to get tested,” he advised.
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When asked about whether he’s concerned about worsening symptoms, Bocknek said, “I’m not worried about it.”
“I’m relaxed and going on with my life as best I can, for as long as I can.”
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