Abstract
PurposeAuditory problems, such as hearing loss and tinnitus, have been associated with mental health problems and alcohol misuse in the UK general population and in the US Armed Forces; however, few studies have examined these associations within the UK Armed Forces. The present study examined the association between auditory problems and probable common mental disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol misuse.Methods5474 serving and ex-service personnel from the UK Armed Forces were examined, selected from those who responded to phase two (data collection 2007–09) and phase three (2014–16) of a military cohort study. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between auditory problems at phase two and mental health problems at phase three.Results9.7% of participants reported ever experiencing hearing problems alone, 7.9% reported tinnitus within the last month alone, and 7.8% reported hearing problems with tinnitus. After adjustment, hearing problems with tinnitus at phase two was associated with increased odds of probable common mental disorders (AOR = 1.50, 95% CI 1.09–2.08), post-traumatic stress disorder (AOR = 2.30, 95% CI 1.41–3.76), and alcohol misuse (AOR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.28–2.96) at phase three. Tinnitus alone was associated with probable post-traumatic stress disorder (AOR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.03–3.15); however, hearing problems alone were not associated with any outcomes of interest.ConclusionsThe association between auditory problems and mental health problems emphasises the importance of the prevention of auditory problems in the Armed Forces: through enhanced audiometric screening, improved hearing protection equipment, and greater levels of utilisation of such equipment.
Highlights
In the UK Armed Forces, auditory problems, the most prevalent being hearing loss and tinnitus, are one of the greatest contributors to disability in personnel [1]
Hearing problems alone were reported by 9.7% of participants; tinnitus alone was reported by 7.9% of participants; and hearing problems with tinnitus were reported by 7.8% of participants (Table 1)
This paper examined the associations between past auditory problems, and current mental health problems or alcohol misuse using data from serving and ex-service UK Armed Forces personnel at two timepoints
Summary
In the UK Armed Forces, auditory problems, the most prevalent being hearing loss and tinnitus, are one of the greatest contributors to disability in personnel [1]. Service in the UK Armed Forces represents a significant risk for auditory problems. Compared to other occupations in the UK, serving members of the Armed Forces suffer the fourth highest level of diagnosed auditory problems [2]. Auditory problems continue to be an issue in those who have left the Armed Forces, with ex-service personnel under 75 years old roughly 3.5 times more likely to report problems with their hearing than the general population [3]. Hearing loss and tinnitus may occur at higher rates in the UK Armed Forces
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