Hearing damage...

[s&wchad]

We're all aware of the importance of using hearing protection while shooting. We're also aware of the risk from machinery and loud music. There are other causes...

I went to my doctor for a routine visit and had waited almost an hour in an examining room, when a young PA came in to practice on me. She pulled out a scope and looked up my nostrils and in my ears. She mentioned that I had some wax build up and wanted to know if I had noticed any hearing loss. I replied, HUH?? She started to ask the question again in a louder tone and I broke out laughing. Gotcha!

One of my brother had to see an audiologist because of his work. She ran the tests and told him he some hearing loss, but only in his right ear. He explained that he travels a lot with his wife and he always drives. She didn't think that was funny!

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

My: That was a long time ago, was it not?

 

[djohns6]

I went to an ENT last year to deal with a wax buildup . He asked me if I had a hearing test lately . Not since I retired so he sent me down the hall to the nice lady with the audiology test booth . She said that the results showed I was " within the normal ranges " . Good to know .
I always wear hearing protection while shooting and also while riding the ZTR .

 

[old bear]

We're all aware of the importance of using hearing protection while shooting. We're also aware of the risk from machinery and loud music. There are other causes...

I went to my doctor for a routine visit and had waited almost an hour in an examining room, when a young PA came in to practice on me. She pulled out a scope and looked up my nostrils and in my ears. She mentioned that I had some wax build up and wanted to know if I had noticed any hearing loss. I replied, HUH?? She started to ask the question again in a louder tone and I broke out laughing. Gotcha!

One of my brother had to see an audiologist because of his work. She ran the tests and told him he some hearing loss, but only in his right ear. He explained that he travels a lot with his wife and he always drives. She didn't think that was funny!

Ah, for the Good Old Days

 

[lihpster]

Many people who drive for a living, get hearing loss in the left ear from the constant wind noise. Happens to bikers, too, but in both ears.

 

[charlie sherrill]

If you were in any branch of the military you probably have some hearing loss. Check with your local VA. You will be surprised at what they can do for you. Also, any of you guys going to Tulsa, there is usually a table set up there for VA assistance. They can probably point you in the right direction.

 

[walkin jack]

My story, I'm sure, is a common one around here. I came up in a time before employers and OSHA had not yet gotten around to addressing the need for workers in high noise areas to be trained and provided for hearing protection.

During this same time period it was considered unmanly to use hearing protection for pretty much anything. I spared myself the ridicule and went along with that.

From the age of about 13 until this very day I have been around noise, loud enough to require hearing protection:
. Loud music from early childhood
. Loud noise from shooting began from early childhood as well
. stationed with a bunch of "cannon cockers" in Vietnam in 1966
. Loud industrial noise at work for Shell Chemical Co

At some time in the late 80's Shell and OSHA woke up and started providing hearing protection and requiring it's use in noisy areas. But by then it was way too late for me.

That is not okay but the good part of the situation is that since I went to work for Shell BEFORE they started the training and providing hearing protection workers comp has been picking up the tab for all my hearing aids. I am on my 6th pair since 1996. That adds up to something north of $30K.

I have experienced all the wonderful improvements in hearing aids over the years. AWESOME! After I retired from Shell I got a letter from a lawyer. It told me that I had an appointment with a doctor to review my situation. Failure to appear would result in a $10K fine and/or 1 year in prison.

I decided to keep the appointment.

The doctor had all my records of treatments, examinations, etc. We talked and he gave me a brief test to see how well I could read lips. He told me that since I was no longer an active employee of Shell I might I might no longer qualify for Workers comp.

I explained that the damage to my hearing didn't come back when I retired, damaged caused by Shell's negligence did not go away. He nodded and said he would make that point to the insurance co. He must have done that, my coverage continues.

 

[walkin jack]

If you were in any branch of the military you probably have some hearing loss. Check with your local VA. You will be surprised at what they can do for you. Also, any of you guys going to Tulsa, there is usually a table set up there for VA assistance. They can probably point you in the right direction.

This is good advice. Hearing aids is about the easiest benefit to get from the VA. Workers comp is a better way to go but if you don't qualify for that the VA is will take care of you. My dad went that route and did alright.