PP320 - Prevalence and Correlates of Self-Reported Hearing Aid Requirements Among U.S. Military Personnel

Abstract: Hearing aids are an effective treatment for both hearing loss and tinnitus, two of the most common diagnoses among military veterans awarded disability compensation. The objective of this research was to identify the prevalence and correlates of self-reported hearing aid requirements in active-duty US military personnel. Overall, 1.0% of the study population reported requiring hearing aids, and self-reported requirements of a hearing aid were positively associated with age and other demographic factors. A significantly higher proportion of those with hearing aids screened positive for post-traumatic stress disorder than those without hearing aids.

Summary:

Introduction: Auditory problems are ubiquitous among U.S. military personnel, often resulting from exposure to combat and other occupational noise. Hearing aids are an effective treatment for both hearing loss and tinnitus, two of the most common diagnoses among veterans awarded disability compensation. To date, there has not been an estimate of hearing aid prevalence and demographic correlates within the general U.S. military population. Another public health problem in the military is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), an anxiety disorder characterized by exposure to a traumatic event. While some studies have found an association between auditory problems and PTSD, no research has focused on the prevalence of PTSD within a subgroup of military personnel with hearing aids.

Objectives: To identify the prevalence and demographic correlates of self-reported hearing aid requirements in U.S. military personnel and determine the association with PTSD.
Patients &

Methods: The study population included 104,731 U.S. Navy and Marine Corps service members who completed a Periodic Health Assessment (PHA) between August and December 2021. The PHA is an annual health screening questionnaire completed by all service members that queries the individual on a variety of physical and psychological concerns, including hearing aid requirements. Probable PTSD and demographics (age, gender, service branch, military rank, and active/reserve component) were also ascertained from the PHA. Probable PTSD was measured with the Primary Care PTSD Screen. Demographics were compared between those who did and did not report requiring hearing aids and differences were assessed with chi-square tests. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine the association between hearing aid requirements and PTSD while adjusting for demographics. An odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated.

Results: Overall, 1.0% (1,073/104,731) of the study population reported requiring hearing aids. Self-reported requirements of a hearing aid were positively associated with age, and the highest prevalence was among those aged 40 years and older (3.8%). There was also a statistically higher prevalence among men compared with women (1.1% vs. 0.5%), Marines compared with Navy personnel (1.2% vs. 0.9%), and active compared with reserve component (1.1% vs. 0.6%). A significantly higher proportion of those with hearing aids screened positive for PTSD than those without hearing aids (30.1% vs. 7.5%). In multivariable regression, those who self-reported requiring a hearing aid compared with those who did not had more than 3 times higher odds of screening positive for PTSD (OR 3.4, 95% CI 3.0–3.9).

Conclusion: To our knowledge this is the first study to provide population-level estimates of self-reported hearing aid requirements in the U.S. military. Unsurprisingly, there was a positive association with age, which could be reflective of cumulative occupational exposures over a military career. Other associations may be a result of increased combat exposure in certain subgroups. Our findings also replicate the association between auditory problems and PTSD found in previous studies. Self-reported hearing aid requirements in the U.S. military are strongly associated with probable PTSD. This reaffirms the need for audiologists and psychological health professionals to work together when providing care for these patients.