A Veteran describes his experience and life with tinnitus

Jean-Claude Wicks, former U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant, discusses developing tinnitus and how the incidence of tinnitus is disproportionate in military and veteran populations. He outlines that although tinnitus can certainly be caused in combat - it can also be a hazard of workplace noise. For more information about ATA's work on behalf of veterans and all who suffer to cure tinnitus, visit www.ata.org.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• tinnitus
• noise
• veterans
• air force
• military
• ringing in the ears
• service-connected
• jet engine
• workplace noise

[Mrnorthafrican]

i suffer from tinnitus and this guys is amazing sometimes i cant handle it that i sometimes want to kill myself its the worst disease to have i hope one day that we find the cure for it

[ATAJD]

@Mrnorthafrican Please know that the American Tinnitus Association understands what you are going through and that you are not alone. 50 million Americans alone experience tinnitus, 12 million severely enough to seek medical attention. There are things you can do to mitigate tinnitus, but rest assured that the American Tinnitus Association is working hard each day - to help bring a cure about for this terrible condition.

[voiceforveterans]

We hope for your fast recovery soon. The wonderful thing is that you have survived and get that second chance in life. God speed to you!

[BabylonsKing]

@ATAJD Mine is out of control after these last few years and now at almost 62 I just want to kill myself rather than hear this each and every day and night.

[1261max]

As a former flightline jet engine mechanic in the Air Force, i also suffer from the same symptoms. I recieve a 10% disability from the veterans administration. I hope all veterans that were exposed to extreme noise levels and have a high pitched whine go to the va support group in your area and they will handle the paper work for you. I feel the 10% disibility rating should be adjusted to 20%-30%.

[mcwolfus]

I cant drown the tinnitus out, I am too deaf and the noise is too loud.

[DarkWillUser]

I also suffer from Tinnitus. I first became aware of my tinnitus about 6 years ago. I probably had it longer though. That first year was hell on earth, but for about 5 years now I have been coping with it ok, although I still go through periods where it starts to drive me nuts. A fan running in the background at night helps during those periods. I will rejoice on the day they find a cure.

[f22raptor76]

Thank you Sir for sharing your experience. I too suffer from tinnitus. It's a constant loud 10-12 Khz tone that never leaves me.

The research looks promising and I think that a cure will come sooner than we think, even though T can have many causes. Someone might be working on something now that will cure this condition.

Research is underfunded and we can all contribute by donating.

In the meantime, hang in there folks and do your best to not let T steal away your life.

[thisisnotanick]

Running water is the only thing Ive found that enables me to ignore the sound. I often sleep in the bathroom with the water running.

Im glad I was born in this day and age and not 100 years ago. Someone might find a cure within my lifetime, and that thought helps me cope.

Thanks for sharing.

[deltaenforcer93]

@Agrashsallam if i can put my tinnitus aside (which is still pretty bad, but nothing compared to what it used to be) i'm pretty sure you can the first thing i hear when i wake up is not the tinnitus, but the wind outside my window and the birds chirping, because i taught myself to forcefully ignore it, and it has worked for me sure it may not be a full cure but every little bit helps and this to me is a lot.

take care, get well enjoy life, and your tinnitus will one day be fully cured trust me

[deltaenforcer93]

@Agrashsallam my tinnitus is pretty bad as well buddy, but i try to mask the sound as much as i can by sleeping with my fan on or rubbing my hair to mask the sound, when i first had tinnitus almost 5 months, i thought i would go crazy my parents sent me to specialist and the specialist quite basically told me of a large list of treatments for tinnitus i am current undergoing one to lower my blood pressure and confuse the sound in my ear, it has reduced very much over the last 3 months!

[brunswickm33]

Great video. I have it, too.