Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) which you can be born with! Can also be caused by exposure to explosives. APD causes a lack of ability to distinguish between competing sounds.
I would love to just say here that veterans deserve the best technology hearing aids on the market just because they have served our country, which is true, but it goes a lot deeper than that due to the damage caused potentially by their service in the forces and the use of firearms and explosives.
I would love to just say here that veterans deserve the best technology hearing aids on the market just because they have served our country, which is true, but it goes a lot deeper than that due to the damage caused potentially by their service in the forces and the use of firearms and explosives.
The Leading Research
A leading scientist Dr Tobias Reichenbach has performed extensive investigation into this area at the Imperial College, London which was funded by the RBL.
The actual damage caused by the explosion is not to the ear! But actually, to the auditory brainstem. The high-pressure blast wave goes over the individual, causing impact to the head and creating a neurological impairment. The ear can be in perfect working order! Research has also shown that Veterans without APD also have difficulty in noise, which is still being explained but possibly affected by the “impulsive” noise from gunshot which can reach 200dB and rise quickly causing a major intense pressure wave change.
The actual damage caused by the explosion is not to the ear! But actually, to the auditory brainstem. The high-pressure blast wave goes over the individual, causing impact to the head and creating a neurological impairment. The ear can be in perfect working order! Research has also shown that Veterans without APD also have difficulty in noise, which is still being explained but possibly affected by the “impulsive” noise from gunshot which can reach 200dB and rise quickly causing a major intense pressure wave change.
Unique but life-defining
This is different from NIHL (Noise Induced Hearing Loss) that workers suffer working in noise levels of 90-100dB.
To date, I can find no research relating to the similar cause and effect of gunfire, only blast trauma.
It is suggested that APD is a common problem but not picked up because it is not fatal, and difficult to pinpoint the neurological impairment.
To assess this type of damage requires an EEG (electroencephalography) which measures the brain activity during speech processing so you would need a specialist and the necessary equipment and environment for this assessment to be completed.
However, finally to my point, Veterans need the best technology hearing aids, and assistive equipment to continue to fulfil their “life” requirements after their service due to the invisible damage caused whilst protecting this country and residents. Unfortunately this is the silent disability, like bentinnitus and reduced mental health issues from service that equally need to be addressed.
To date, I can find no research relating to the similar cause and effect of gunfire, only blast trauma.
It is suggested that APD is a common problem but not picked up because it is not fatal, and difficult to pinpoint the neurological impairment.
To assess this type of damage requires an EEG (electroencephalography) which measures the brain activity during speech processing so you would need a specialist and the necessary equipment and environment for this assessment to be completed.
However, finally to my point, Veterans need the best technology hearing aids, and assistive equipment to continue to fulfil their “life” requirements after their service due to the invisible damage caused whilst protecting this country and residents. Unfortunately this is the silent disability, like bentinnitus and reduced mental health issues from service that equally need to be addressed.
Research Sources
There are organisations that have done valuable research into this field, allowing us to share credible information about this subject –
https://www.cobseo.org.uk/300000-veterans-living-hearing-loss-uk-legion-urges-veterans-seek-help-deaf-awareness-week/
Royal British Legion, R., 2020. 300,000 Veterans Living With Hearing Loss In The UK – Legion Urges Veterans To Seek Help During Deaf Awareness Week – Cobseo. [online] Cobseo. Available at: <https://www.cobseo.org.uk/300000-veterans-living-hearing-loss-uk-legion-urges-veterans-seek-help-deaf-awareness-week/> [Accessed 6 July 2020].
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32163310/
Tepe,V et al., Mar 12 2020. Acquired Central Auditory Processing Disorder in Service Members and Veterans – pubmed.gov [online] Available at:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32163310/ [Accessed 6 July 2020]
https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/stories/funding-research-into-veterans’-hearing-loss
Dr. Reichenbach, T.,2020. Funding research into veterans’ hearing loss – British Legion [online] Available at: https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/stories/funding-research-into-veterans’-hearing-loss [ Accessed 6 July 2020]