Hearing Loss Significantly Higher Among Post-Deployed Soldiers, Study Finds

According to researchers:

• Prevalence rates of deployment-related noise-induced hearing loss were 68% compared to 4% for non-deployment-related noise-induced hearing loss. 
• In the study period, a surge of eardrum perforations were documented during the heaviest combat operations of Operation Iraqi Freedom, consistent with combat fatality rates and wounded in action due to blast injuries.

Read "Postdeployment Hearing Loss in U.S. Army Soldiers Seen at Audiology Clinics From April 1, 2003 through March 31, 2004" in ASHA’s American Journal of Audiology.