Support a Veteran with Noise Induced Hearing Loss

by UK Veterans Hearing Foundation in Hinckley, Leicestershire, United Kingdom

Total raised £11

raised so far

2

supporters

Our aim is to provide specialist hearing equipment and care for one of our ex-servicemen or women suffering from noise induced hearing loss.

by UK Veterans Hearing Foundation in Hinckley, Leicestershire, United Kingdom

We're still collecting donations

On the 14th June 2024 we'd raised £11 with 2 supporters in 56 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.

In the line of duty, soldiers and veterans display unwavering courage and dedication, making immense sacrifices to protect our Country and its people. The toll of combat and exposure to loud noises can lead to hearing impairment, leaving veterans grappling with communication difficulties, isolation, and an altered quality of life.

The hearing issues faced by veterans are often a direct consequence of their service on the frontlines. During their time in the armed forces, veterans are exposed to a range of hazardous and high-decibel environments. Loud machinery, the use of firearms and explosives, and prolonged exposure to the roar of vehicles and aircraft contribute significantly to the development of hearing problems. Hindering clarity and leaving them isolated and unable to actively participate in social interactions. Leaving them with problems such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

Further complications of Hearing Loss can be that employment prospects can be severely affected, as communication becomes difficult in professional settings: working age veterans in the UK are nearly twice as likely to be unemployed as their civilian contemporaries. Additionally, family life is often disrupted, with veterans facing difficulty in hearing and connecting with their children and spouses, leading to feelings of frustration and isolation.

By contributing to this noble cause, you can be a part of a profound transformation in the lives of veterans who struggle with hearing loss and its far-reaching effects. Every donation, big or small, enables UKVHF to reach more veterans in need, offering them a chance to reconnect with their loved ones, regain their confidence, and forge a brighter future. Together, let us ensure that no veteran is left unheard. 

 

Hearing loss is a widespread condition amongst ex-service people – but one which frequently goes unnoticed:

  • Veterans are 3.5 times more likely to suffer from hearing loss than those who have not served in the Armed Forces
  • Statistics show that some 300,000 ex-service people living in the UK suffer from hearing loss.  For example, some 69% of all Royal Marine Commandos who served in Afghanistan are experiencing severe or permanent hearing damage
  • The support currently provided by the NHS unfortunately does not meet veterans’ hearing needs. 

 

The specific type of hearing loss they suffer is different from that experienced by those whose deafness is brought on by old age or other factors. As a result:

  • Veterans often mishear words in conversations 
  • Background noise drowns out all clarity, making it impossible for them to answer questions correctly or engage in conversations
  • These communication barriers result in heightened self-consciousness and social withdrawal
  • Veterans’ hearing loss can have catastrophic impacts on employment prospects and family life. In the latter instance, male veterans in particular often cannot hear their children or spouses/partners properly, as higher-pitched voices are especially difficult for veterans with hearing loss to understand.

 

they need a quick and reliable pathway to access hearing care and the equipment which will assist them and improve the quality of life for them and their families. It is precisely such a pathway that UKVHF currently provides and which, with additional funding, it will be able to roll out to more needy ex-servicemen and women year on year.

At present UKVHF supports a minimum of 17 veterans annually at a total cost of £3,100 per Veteran, which includes:

  • Provision of hearing aids
  • Fitting the hearing aids with 3 years’ aftercare at no cost to the veterans
  • Support for the majority of veterans who suffer from tinnitus or mental health problems. Tinnitus is usually caused by an underlying condition, such as an ear injury caused during military service. Tinnitus improves with treatment of the underlying cause or with other treatments that reduce or mask the noise, making tinnitus less noticeable.

 

However, the demand for UKVHF’s services far outstrips the Foundation’s current resources. Our research shows that there is around three times the number of ex-servicemen and women needing our services as UKVHF has the resources to provide. 

 

We are therefore seeking to raise additional funding in 2024 so that we can increase substantially the number of ex-service people suffering.

 

UKVHF is funded by individual donations, sales of clothing from our on-line charity shop, grants from Trusts and Foundations and the National Lottery and by our programme of fundraising events. We receive no statutory funding from either National or local sources.

 

This is why we need help from the wider community to continue providing for ex-service people who have served our country well, but who now require the assistance we provide which is unavailable elsewhere.

 

Formerly known as the UK Veterans Hearing Help, the foundation began its mission by fitting over 500 veterans with hearing aids between 2016 and 2019. We formalised our status as a charity in 2020. Since then, UKVHF has emerged as a pioneer, offering services that no other organisation can match. Driven by the overwhelming need for their assistance and the profound difference they make in the lives of veterans, the foundation's dedication and motivation remain unwavering.

UKVHF has revolutionised hearing care for veterans, filling a critical gap left by commercial outlets and the NHS, providing extensive aftercare UKVHF goes beyond traditional methods.

 

In such cases, they ensure a seamless transition to their supporting partner organisations who offer further assistance from qualified tinnitus and mental health counsellors.

 

For those seeking to donate, UKVHF offers options such as donations through our website and cash/cheque donations. We have established an online shop for second-hand clothes, where 100% of the profits go directly towards supporting veterans in need. This unique approach not only aids our funding goals but also promotes sustainability and community engagement. The foundation actively encourages people to donate clothes to the shop, providing yet another means for individuals to contribute. UKVHF also accepts hearing aid donations. By recycling and repurposing these devices, they can help even more veterans regain the gift of hearing and improve their overall well-being.

 

Together, we can break the silence and make a lasting impact on the lives of those who have sacrificed so much for us.

 

Donate now and empower our heroes with the precious gift of sound.

 

Thankyou on behalf of all of our Veterans

 

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