Memorial Day is a time to honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives for our nation. And while Veterans Day is still a few months away, we think of those who were fortunate enough to return to us on all military-related holidays.
A donation to Hope For The Warriors
Because military personnel is prone to hearing damage during their service, and we speak to veterans on a regular basis at MDHearing, we wanted to give back to those that have served, as well as their families. Over Memorial Day weekend, we committed to donating a percentage of our sales to Hope For The Warriors. Thanks to all who supported our project, that donation will be $3,231.
What is Hope For The Warriors?
Hope For The Warriors is a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance and support to service members, veterans, and their families. Their programs focus on transition, health and wellness, peer engagement, and connections to community resources.
Founded by military wives who witnessed, firsthand, the effects of war on service members and their families, the organization is dedicated to restoring a sense of self, family unity, and hope in their post-service lives.
Hearing loss in the military
Hearing loss is the most prevalent disability among American veterans. Because military personnel is constantly exposed to noise hazards—weapons training, aircraft, loud vehicles, and unexpected explosives—hearing loss more prevalent in military populations than in the general public.
According to the U.S. Department for Veterans Affairs (VA), more than 1 million veterans were receiving disability compensation for hearing loss at the end of the 2015 fiscal year. In addition, 1.45 million received compensation for tinnitus, which is a ringing or buzzing in the ears.
Veterans with tinnitus frequently experience anxiety, depression, or both, according to researchers with VA and Loma Linda University Medical School. Patients with either or both conditions suffered from more severe tinnitus symptoms than patients without either condition.
Hearing solutions improve quality of life
To prevent the isolating and depressing symptoms of untreated hearing loss, affordable solutions are critical. Wearing a hearing aid can help soldiers get back to living and working in civilian life with better hearing and the sense of safety and well-being that follows.
While the VA does offer hearing aids to those meeting the eligibility requirements, it can be a long wait before the former service member receives them. Eligibility must first be approved, then comes an appointment with a VA Health Care audiologist, and finally waiting to obtain the hearing aids the audiologist ordered. The process can take anywhere from two weeks to six months.
For many people that want to bypass the hassle and wait, MDHearing offers a variety of affordable hearing aids.
“I am a retired Marine and firearms instructor. I spent a lot of time around crew-served weapons, high caliber rifles, and pistols. The big bangs finally caught me. I went to the VA but found out they did not cover my hearing aids. One day I received a VFW magazine and saw MDHearing. This price was reasonable compared to other types, so I decided to try a set of these. They definitely made a difference in my hearing.” – Bernie Z.
“For over 30 years, I’ve had hearing aids and after stepping on one of a new set just received the day before, I was in tears. Those aids came from the VA and I had to wait 5 years to get them replaced. I did some research online, found MDHearing and decided to give them a try. Wow! These are better than any I have ever had.” – Richard K.