Deafness and tinnitus.....

[Teh Wal]

...and the first person to mutter "Can you say that again?" gets a poke in the eye with a sharp stick!

Anyhoo, I'm just about to leave the mob and have recently had quite a thorough medical examination for the company that I am joining. Both the doctor and occupational nurse who carried out the process expressed some concern about my hearing, in particular up at the high frequency end of the spectrum. The doctor even quizzed me about what hearing protection I've been using over the years. I'm an aircraft Leckie by the way (well, I was until I did multi-skilling and became AvionicsDT_Xtremez_35: ) and have had my fair share of engine noise (which is gonna continue!).

I have tinnitus, it was diagnosed by an RAF Ear, Nose and Throat specialist 8 or 9 years ago and is on my med records. And over the years, on my annual hearing test, the med staff have commented about a "...gradual degradation..." of my hearing but offered very little (if any) advice other than the usual "...keep wearing ear protection as appropriate" which I do (even at home when using power tools).

So my question is have any of you ex-RAF types been down the claims for deafness route that I hear the British Legion offer? I'm sure you've all heard the same as me: Get in touch with the RBL, fill in a form and then a big healthy check for 3 grand drops onto your doormat. There seems to be an awful lot of talk and rumour about it but I've never yet met anyone who has actually done it.

Anyone care to comment?

 

[True Blue Jack]

My old man is ex-RN and he got a good deal out of the MOD for his deafness, including a medical pension and state-of-the-art hearing aids. The procedure is probably the same for all services although it was a good few years ago that my Dad claimed. If you want me to speak to him for you let me know.

 

[propersplitbrainme]

Teh Wal

Working a Tossford as I do we have a ready supply of ex-techies working here and one of them is bound to have been down the RBL route. Watch this space and I'll ask around tomorrow, unless someone gets you a reply earlier.

 

[Ex-Bay]

...and the first person to mutter "Can you say that again?" gets a poke in the eye with a sharp stick!

So my question is have any of you ex-RAF types been down the claims for deafness route that I hear the British Legion offer? I'm sure you've all heard the same as me: Get in touch with the RBL, fill in a form and then a big healthy check for 3 grand drops onto your doormat. There seems to be an awful lot of talk and rumour about it but I've never yet met anyone who has actually done it.

Anyone care to comment?

If this becomes a real, financial fact, please let me know, for you are not alone (my ENT man called it "Gunner's Ear"). When I asked about any form of compensation I was told "no chance".

Good Luck!

 

[metimmee]

...and the first person to mutter "Can you say that again?" gets a poke in the eye with a sharp stick!

Anyhoo, I'm just about to leave the mob and have recently had quite a thorough medical examination for the company that I am joining. Both the doctor and occupational nurse who carried out the process expressed some concern about my hearing, in particular up at the high frequency end of the spectrum. The doctor even quizzed me about what hearing protection I've been using over the years. I'm an aircraft Leckie by the way (well, I was until I did multi-skilling and became AvionicsDT_Xtremez_35: ) and have had my fair share of engine noise (which is gonna continue!).

I have tinnitus, it was diagnosed by an RAF Ear, Nose and Throat specialist 8 or 9 years ago and is on my med records. And over the years, on my annual hearing test, the med staff have commented about a "...gradual degradation..." of my hearing but offered very little (if any) advice other than the usual "...keep wearing ear protection as appropriate" which I do (even at home when using power tools).

So my question is have any of you ex-RAF types been down the claims for deafness route that I hear the British Legion offer? I'm sure you've all heard the same as me: Get in touch with the RBL, fill in a form and then a big healthy check for 3 grand drops onto your doormat. There seems to be an awful lot of talk and rumour about it but I've never yet met anyone who has actually done it.

Anyone care to comment?

Me too. Still in the mob and it amazes me that I apparently have good hearing according to the hearing test. A mate of mine contacted the British Legion who can help you gain compensation. They cant help those that are still serving though if I remembe correctly.

Also, the RAF hearing test is extremely limited. I would advise anyone who has good hearing to have it mapped privately, either before they join up, or while they still have good hearing. That way, when they leave it will be much easier to prove when they make any claim.

 

[Former Albert Sooty]

You could always contact the British Legion. I have heard on a number of occasions that the Legion have a system set in place with a Solicitor so as to pursue service related hearing loss compensation. I am not sure how acurate this info is, however, it could be worth a try. DT_Xtremez_27:

 

[Teh Wal]

You could always contact the British Legion. I have heard on a number of occasions that the Legion have a system set in place with a Solicitor so as to pursue service related hearing loss compensation. I am not sure how acurate this info is, however, it could be worth a try. DT_Xtremez_27:

Go on, admit it, you didn't really read my first post properly did you? DT_Xtremez_15:
However that's exactly the type of word of mouth snippet that I'm trying to get to the bottom of.
Thanks for the replies so far and I'll certainly bear you in mind TBJ DT_Xtremez_14: Incidentally a hearing aid will probably be of no use to someone who only has hearing loss in a certain band of frequencies (like mine, up at the 6K range) 'cos the hearing aid amplifies all sounds/frequency ranges rather than just the frequencies where you have the problem.

 

[Ex-Bay]

Go on, admit it, you didn't really read my first post properly did you? DT_Xtremez_15:
Incidentally a hearing aid will probably be of no use to someone who only has hearing loss in a certain band of frequencies (like mine, up at the 6K range) 'cos the hearing aid amplifies all sounds/frequency ranges rather than just the frequencies where you have the problem.

I asked about such a device when my hearing was checked a year or so ago. I figured that in these days of digital miniaturisation it would not be impossible (this bearing in mind some hearing aids ca cost a thousand or so). His reply was illuminating:-

"No demand, mate".


Incidentally, tests are only conducted up to the old 78rpm record quality (about 7KHz), so you'd only get superior 'phone quality. It's a bit rough if you like to listen to good, full-range, music.

 

[Ghandi's Flip-Flop]

Also been told I've got gunners ear by an ENT specialist at Dr Grays a few years ago. Interested in this as have found that much better ear protection is available than the RAF provide (During work experience at a civvy AC firm). I really think there is a case to bring as if their is better protection available the RAF can't keep using the in ear and poor ear def argument. Cost can't be used as sole argument according to health and safety law.

 

[MontyPlumbs]

Also been told I've got gunners ear by an ENT specialist at Dr Grays a few years ago. Interested in this as have found that much better ear protection is available than the RAF provide (During work experience at a civvy AC firm). I really think there is a case to bring as if their is better protection available the RAF can't keep using the in ear and poor ear def argument. Cost can't be used as sole argument according to health and safety law.

This would probably be why the RAF changed the ear defenders to those ones with the tan coloured band about 4 years ago?

 

[needsabiggerfuse]

Tinnitus. Any hearing test that I've done so far says no problem with my hearing. But it drives me bonkers. Sometimes it even wakes me up in the middle of the ferkin' night . Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee. Go see the doc ... "You've got tinnitus" "Brilliant, any suggestions?" "It's chronic and incureable". "Thanks".

Does anyone else have the problem of being able to hear normal conversation, but lose it as soon as the ambient noise level rises? Mrs 'fuse is great at talking, but not facing me, especially in the supermarket and getting ratty 'cos I'm not replying about what brekkie cereal she should get, etc.

Also, does anyone else have the sudden and sharp increase in volume of the tone? No infection says my doc, but is it anything to do with air pressure/weather conditions? I wish I knew.

 

[norfolkred1]

Been having ear problems since the early 80's. I suspect it was all down to hours spent listening to white noise talking to our Navy chums. Around the late 90's time spent on HF was brought down to 2 hours a day to protect the ear drum. I have spent years chasing ENT boys around the Country, Nocton Hall, Catterick and Frimly Park to name a few and finaly get a Mastiodectomy done in 2001 by the NHS after asking for a second opinion. I am now perm downgrade and out in Oct. When you go for your board they will ask you to sign papers authorising the RAFA and the RBL acess to your Med Docs, this is optional but wise.

I have aproached the RBL who have told me to get in touch 28 days prior to leaving the Service to discuss a war pension. the man you are after is 'wait for it' James Bond at the RBL. He seems well known in the job as his name was mentioned at my last job fair.


Hope this helps anyone

 

[Ghandi's Flip-Flop]

This would probably be why the RAF changed the ear defenders to those ones with the tan coloured band about 4 years ago?

The ones used out in civvy aviation are bigger again I compared them to mine when I was doing work experience. And lets be honest the new jets coming in are even noisier. The sound of a typhoon on max chat dwarves the whine of an RB199. I'd imagine the JSF will be even louder again.

 

[Tin basher]

ear defenders....... with the tan coloured band about 4 years ago?

(From memory so maybe not gospel)

Noise is a very complicated issue and has many variables. It's not the volume of noise you are subjected to that causes a problem it's the duration of exposure. You can manage without ear defenders altogether but in certain circumstances your working day would have to be measured in seconds not hours. For environments in excess of 140Db your exposure time is less than 10 secs per 24 hr period. Simply put the type of noise generated by ground runs (continuous high pitched drone) for example is very different, in it's effect on you is also different, from the noise of gun shots or pneumatic riveting hammers (Intermitent high peak preccussive noise) one of the reasons for the many types of ear protection around. The tan banded ones give much better protection against preccussive noise than the older "green all over" ones. Peltor supply most of the RAF ear defenders and there are many to choose from look here.

http://www.greenham.com/c/pl/78980/Optime-lll-H540A-Headband-Ear-Muff

As regards medical pensions again from memory I think you need to prove 20% hearing disability to qualify and funny old thing most people clock about 18% thereby just failing to be entitled. Also I believe the life long pension option no longer exsists and has been replaced by a one off payment for those suitably qualified.

 

[Teh Wal]

Tinnitus. Any hearing test that I've done so far says no problem with my hearing. But it drives me bonkers. Sometimes it even wakes me up in the middle of the ferkin' night . Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee. Go see the doc ... "You've got tinnitus" "Brilliant, any suggestions?" "It's chronic and incureable". "Thanks".

Does anyone else have the problem of being able to hear normal conversation, but lose it as soon as the ambient noise level rises? Mrs 'fuse is great at talking, but not facing me, especially in the supermarket and getting ratty 'cos I'm not replying about what brekkie cereal she should get, etc.

Also, does anyone else have the sudden and sharp increase in volume of the tone? No infection says my doc, but is it anything to do with air pressure/weather conditions? I wish I knew.

The usual annual hearing test that we undertake will not highlight tinnitus; it's a condition that is very difficult to prove exists because it is (quite literallly) all inside your head. Mine is usually brought on by tiredness and ambient loud noise. There are a series of specialists tests that an ENT doctor can carry out which will diagnose the type of tinnitus you have. There is, or are, also various organisations within the UK who help people deal with tinnitus, it's worth doing a Google search and seeing what comes up. There is talk of being able to control it to a certain degree thru use of certain natural remedies; whether these work at a sub-conscious level or really actually reduce the level I don't know but some people claim to get relief from using them; do the Google thing and you'll find them.
I'm surprised your local SMO hasn't referred you to an ENT specialist because it looks to me as tho you've got quite a severe case there. The "...unable to hear conversion as ambient noise increases..." actually sounds more like high frequency deafness rather than the tinnitus :S I'd go back to your SMO and insist on getting your hearing checked out thoroughly by an ENT doctor.


norfolkred1:- Thanks very much for that info, looks like I'll be giving 007 a call soon. DT_Xtremez_14:

 

[POB]

Teh Wal...

Mate, I can´t help (yet) with the pension thing, but have had a lot of problems with my hearing and tinitus over the last few years. Shortly before I left the service I was offered an operation to try to cure my hearing loss...It worked after a fashion. It has improved my hearing from H4 to H2. (If you are trained and in the mob then H2 is OK, but you would not be allowed in with that level to start with.) As an Opsie/Air trafficer I would have been discharged with H4, and of course persued the pension route.

If you, or anyone else has any questions more please leave them here or PM me. I may take a little while to answer as I am on my travels, but will help if I can!

As someone else has said, tinitus is NO laughing matter...At best distracting and at worse debilitating to such an extent as to cause depression due to lack of sleep and much more. There is NO cure, but there are a few things that can help. Try the RNID website for a bit more info!


POB

 

[Jim_P_Pulfrew]

Hearing loss has always been a big problem especially among TG1 and Rocks. As I understand it there are two routes the RBL take. One is a war pension and the other is a one off payment. I have a copy of the RBL leaflet but sods law says I can't find it right now.

As for tinnitus, a good mucker of mine has it and was sorted (as far as sorting is possible) by a Service Consultant. Essentially he now wears a hearing aid which acts in the same way as an ANR headset in that it generates anti noise of the same frequency and it effectively cancels out the whistling.

Talking of ANR Headsets are you aware that when the J came into service a decision was made (and I believe documented) that it would be cheaper to pay the compensation to K blokes rather than give them ANR? This story used to be among the realms of urban myth but I have it on VERY good authority it was the case and this source is waiting until he is demobbed until he dishes the dirt so to speak.

Jimps

 

[kidcock]

I left the service in May 93 aged 26 and on my hearing test on the discharge medical was informed by the MO that I had the hearing of a 65 year old man. I haven't claimed but I think I'll be contacting the British Legion to find out what needs to be done. A few grand will come in very handy.

 

[Teh Wal]

Looks like we're on a roll here DT_Xtremez_14: Hopefully we can come up with a positive solution that can be of help to others too.

 

[Canberraman]

Deafness.

Deafness.

I am 77 years young and have service caused deafness. I did my NS in the Royal Artillery on ack ack. I did two practice camps of a fortnights duration each were we loosed off 2,000 rounds each camp, no ear defenders. The .303 Enfield was used regularly no ear defenders again. I then joined the RAF. Avro Lincolns with four Merlins at full chat, then the Canberra with screaming jets. I am at the moment pursuing the matter through the RBL.

Ken