Pentagon sponsoring tinnitus research
The number of Americans suffering from tinnitus is 12 million and growing, with war veterans among those most commonly afflicted with the bothersome phantom noises in the ears. About half of the returning soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from tinnitus.
The US Department of Defense at the Pentagon is finding the tinnitus issue of such concern that it is planning a drastic increase in research into tinnitus and tinnitus treatment. USD50 million over 10 years is being allocated to these efforts.
Caused by noise
Loud explosions and excessive noise from war machinery is causing tinnitus among the soldiers, according to Andrew Cheng. Cheng, an ear, nose and throat specialist at New York Medical College spoke to the Detroit News.
The number of tinnitus cases is increasing among the civilian population, as well, particularly in the younger population. Cheng identified the use of MP3 players and cell phones as main culprits.
Source: Detroit News.
Published on hear-it on October 27, 2008.