One of the privileges that we have as Audiologists is learning the stories of the men and women who served our country. Often these stories are around the incredible noises these people were exposed to which ended up causing hearing loss.
Audiology as a profession began after many Veterans came home from World War One with devastating hearing loss. These men were using bullet shells stuffed in their ear canals as hearing protection and when they came home, there were no professionals able to help. So, we owe our entire profession to Veterans who graciously risked their lives and sacrificed their hearing to protect us.
Daily, I see the effects of noise on hearing and hear how men had to sleep in engine rooms of ships for months on end with noise so loud you had to shout to be heard.
It’s no wonder these men have tinnitus and hearing loss.
Thankfully, Veteran’s Affairs Canada is very generous with the provision of hearing aids and tinnitus maskers to support those with hearing loss.
So, on this Remembrance Day we honour those who left their families, sacrificed their health, hearing and often their lives for the rest of us to be free.
Thank you.
Erin
