2008 Woodie Awards
Soldiers face a hearing war
Jeff May ; Mass Communications Student
Issue date: 3/2/05 Section: Life
- Page 1 of 1
Jeff Latham remembers the sounds of war very clearly-machine guns, low flying aircraft and explosions. Latham, a young Marine in the late 1960s, was involved in combat during two separate tours in Vietnam.
"You fire 50 to 100 rounds, which is nothing, but your head would be howling for days," Latham said.
Today, he has trouble hearing the sound of everyday life in his hometown of Soda Springs, Idaho. The Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic on the campus of Idaho State University treats Latham for his hearing loss. The clinic treats former soldiers who have fought in World War II, the Korean War and the Gulf War.
On average, the clinic's two audiologist see between six and 10 veterans a day. The clinic treats more than 1,000 veterans. Nearly 80 percent of those they see will need a hearing aid, said Administrative Assistant Jude Jones.
"Proper prevention is obviously the key to keeping your hearing in tact," Mary Whitaker, an audiologist at the clinic said.
The military uses devices like headphones and earplugs to help prevent hearing loss. But, Latham said that doesn't always work.
"You never know when a roadside bomb will go off, in a firefight you don't have time to find your earplugs," Latham said.
Taking the time to find headphones or earplugs could be the difference in life or death. At times the protective equipment can be difficult to locate, and communication between soldiers could be hindered, he explained.
Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are involved in combat where they are exposed to the sound of guns and explosions. The outpatient clinic anticipates seeing these service men and woman in the future.
"Current soldiers can be expected to start visiting the clinic anywhere from a couple of months from now up to 20 years," Jones said.
"You fire 50 to 100 rounds, which is nothing, but your head would be howling for days," Latham said.
Today, he has trouble hearing the sound of everyday life in his hometown of Soda Springs, Idaho. The Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic on the campus of Idaho State University treats Latham for his hearing loss. The clinic treats former soldiers who have fought in World War II, the Korean War and the Gulf War.
On average, the clinic's two audiologist see between six and 10 veterans a day. The clinic treats more than 1,000 veterans. Nearly 80 percent of those they see will need a hearing aid, said Administrative Assistant Jude Jones.
"Proper prevention is obviously the key to keeping your hearing in tact," Mary Whitaker, an audiologist at the clinic said.
The military uses devices like headphones and earplugs to help prevent hearing loss. But, Latham said that doesn't always work.
"You never know when a roadside bomb will go off, in a firefight you don't have time to find your earplugs," Latham said.
Taking the time to find headphones or earplugs could be the difference in life or death. At times the protective equipment can be difficult to locate, and communication between soldiers could be hindered, he explained.
Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are involved in combat where they are exposed to the sound of guns and explosions. The outpatient clinic anticipates seeing these service men and woman in the future.
"Current soldiers can be expected to start visiting the clinic anywhere from a couple of months from now up to 20 years," Jones said.