--- title: "Veterans and Hearing Loss — 2026 Statistics" description: "Hearing loss and tinnitus are the #1 and #2 service-connected disabilities among U.S. veterans. See the VA data on prevalence, tinnitus, and post-9/11 exposure." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://zaudiology.com/#website", "url": "https://zaudiology.com/", "name": "Z Audiology", "publisher": { "@id": "https://zaudiology.com/#org" }, "inLanguage": "en-US" }, { "@type": [ "MedicalOrganization", "MedicalBusiness", "LocalBusiness" ], "@id": "https://zaudiology.com/#org", "name": "Z Audiology", "image": "https://zaudiology.com/og.jpg", "logo": "https://www.zaudiology.com/logo.svg", "url": "https://zaudiology.com/", "telephone": "+1-561-931-2428", "email": "drchanazelenko@gmail.com", "priceRange": "$$", "currenciesAccepted": "USD", "paymentAccepted": "Cash, Credit Card, Check", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "5458 Town Center Rd, Suite 4", "addressLocality": "Boca Raton", "addressRegion": "FL", "postalCode": "33486", "addressCountry": "US" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 26.3683, "longitude": -80.1289 }, "areaServed": [ "Boca Raton, FL", "Delray Beach, FL", "Boynton Beach, FL", "Highland Beach, FL", "Deerfield Beach, FL", "Parkland, FL", "Coral Springs, FL" ], "openingHoursSpecification": [ { "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek": [ "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday" ], "opens": "09:00", "closes": "17:00" }, { "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek": "Friday", "opens": "09:00", "closes": "12:00" } ], "medicalSpecialty": "Audiology", "founder": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dr. Chana Zelenko, Au.D.", "jobTitle": "Audiologist", "identifier": { "@type": "PropertyValue", "propertyID": "NPI", "value": "1881311694" } }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.instagram.com/zaudiology/", "https://www.zaudiology.com" ] } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": [ "MedicalWebPage", "Article" ], "headline": "Veterans and Hearing Loss: The Signature Wound", "description": "Hearing loss and tinnitus are the #1 and #2 service-connected disabilities among U.S. veterans. See the VA data on prevalence, tinnitus, and post-9/11 exposure.", "url": "https://zaudiology.com/statistics/veterans-hearing-loss", "datePublished": "2026-07-16", "dateModified": "2026-07-16", "inLanguage": "en-US", "about": { "@type": "MedicalCondition", "name": "Hearing loss" }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dr. Chana Zelenko", "honorificSuffix": "Au.D.", "url": "https://zaudiology.com/about", "identifier": { "@type": "PropertyValue", "propertyID": "NPI", "value": "1881311694" } }, "reviewedBy": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dr. Chana Zelenko", "honorificSuffix": "Au.D.", "url": "https://zaudiology.com/about" }, "publisher": { "@type": "MedicalOrganization", "name": "Z Audiology", "url": "https://zaudiology.com" }, "keywords": "veterans hearing loss statistics, va hearing loss disability, tinnitus veterans" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I get hearing aids through the VA?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes — if you have a service-connected rating for hearing loss, or if you meet the VA's clinical criteria, hearing aids and follow-up service are provided at no cost. Bring your DD-214." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does tinnitus qualify for VA disability?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. Tinnitus is rated at 10% and is one of the most commonly-claimed conditions. A C&P exam with a licensed audiologist is required." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://zaudiology.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Statistics", "item": "https://zaudiology.com/statistics" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Veterans and Hearing Loss: The Signature Wound", "item": "https://zaudiology.com/statistics/veterans-hearing-loss" } ] } ] --- [](/) [Services](/services)[Free Tools](/tools)[About](/about)[Hearing Aids](/hearing-aids) [(561) 931-2428](tel:+15619312428)[Book a Visit](/intake) [All statistics](/statistics) Statistics · Veterans # Veterans and Hearing Loss: The Signature Wound Hearing loss and tinnitus are together the single largest category of service-connected disability in the U.S. veteran population — greater than PTSD, greater than musculoskeletal injury, greater than any other single category. Boca Raton and the greater Palm Beach County have among the highest per-capita veteran populations in Florida. Medically reviewed by Dr. Chana Zelenko, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology · NPI 1881311694 · Last updated July 16, 2026 [About Dr. Zelenko →](/about) The headline number #1 & #2 Tinnitus and hearing loss are the most common service-connected disabilities in the VA system Source: VA Benefits Annual Report In this article [01 Tinnitus and hearing loss lead every other service-connected disability](#top-disability)[02 Post-9/11 veterans are affected at higher rates](#post911)[03 VA benefits for hearing loss — quick facts](#va-benefits)[FAQ Frequently asked](#faqs) Section 01 ## Tinnitus and hearing loss lead every other service-connected disability According to the VA's most recent Annual Benefits Report, tinnitus is the #1 service-connected disability with over 2.9 million veterans receiving compensation for it, and hearing loss is #2 with over 1.6 million. PTSD, for comparison, sits at #4. Top service-connected disabilities in the VA Number of veterans receiving compensation. Source: VA Annual Benefits Report. [U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs](https://www.benefits.va.gov/REPORTS/abr/) Section 02 ## Post-9/11 veterans are affected at higher rates IED blasts, small-arms fire, aviation, and armored-vehicle operation combine to produce impulse noise (>140 dB, peak) that overwhelms even best-in-class hearing protection. Post-9/11 veterans report hearing loss at roughly 3× the rate of age-matched civilians. Tinnitus alone is present in an estimated 60% of deployed post-9/11 combat veterans within a decade of service. [U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs](https://www.benefits.va.gov/REPORTS/abr/) Section 03 ## VA benefits for hearing loss — quick facts The VA covers audiological evaluation and hearing aids at no cost to eligible veterans. Basic ratings run from 0% to 100% based on standardized speech-discrimination and pure-tone thresholds; tinnitus is separately ratable at 10%. Veterans can also see a community-care audiologist under the MISSION Act when VA appointments are more than 30 days out — Z Audiology is set up to coordinate care with the West Palm Beach VA. [U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs](https://www.benefits.va.gov/REPORTS/abr/) FAQ ## Frequently asked ### Can I get hearing aids through the VA? Yes — if you have a service-connected rating for hearing loss, or if you meet the VA's clinical criteria, hearing aids and follow-up service are provided at no cost. Bring your DD-214. ### Does tinnitus qualify for VA disability? Yes. Tinnitus is rated at 10% and is one of the most commonly-claimed conditions. A C&P exam with a licensed audiologist is required. Boca Raton · Independent Audiology ## Where do your numbers fall? A comprehensive audiogram with Dr. Zelenko takes about 45 minutes and gives you a personal baseline against the data on this page. [Book a visit](/intake)[(561) 931-2428](tel:+15619312428) Keep reading ## Related statistics [ 7 yrs Who Actually Wears Hearing Aids? 2026 Usage & Adoption Data Read ](/statistics/hearing-aid-usage)[ 48M How Many Americans Have Hearing Loss? Read ](/statistics/how-many-americans-have-hearing-loss)[ 1.1B Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: Earbuds, Concerts, and the Workplace Read ](/statistics/noise-induced-hearing-loss) Next Step ## Come in. We'll take our time with you. Book a comprehensive hearing evaluation — usually 60 to 90 minutes, and you'll leave with a clear picture of what's going on. [Start intake](/intake) [Call (561) 931-2428](tel:+15619312428) Visit the Practice ## Find us in Boca Raton. We're tucked into the Town Center Road medical village — free parking at the door, elevator access, and a waiting room that actually feels like a living room. Google Business Profile Z Audiology Audiologist · Boca Raton, FL [](https://www.google.com/search?q=Z+Audiology+Boca+Raton#lrd=0x88d922777c50fd67:0x0,1) [5 ](https://www.google.com/search?q=Z+Audiology+Boca+Raton#lrd=0x88d922777c50fd67:0x0,1) [Read Google reviews](https://www.google.com/search?q=Z+Audiology+Boca+Raton#lrd=0x88d922777c50fd67:0x0,1) 5458 Town Center Rd, Suite 4 Boca Raton, FL 33486 [(561) 931-2428](tel:+15619312428) [drchanazelenko@gmail.com](mailto:drchanazelenko@gmail.com) Hours Mon – Thu 9 AM – 5 PM Friday 9 AM – 12 PM Sat & Sun Closed [Directions](https://maps.app.goo.gl/RdocN9NJwQR8bicP8)[Call](tel:+15619312428)[View on Google](https://www.google.com/search?q=Z+Audiology+Boca+Raton#lrd=0x88d922777c50fd67:0x0,1) Z Audiology Rediscover the joy of hearing. An independent audiology practice in Boca Raton — sea-foam walls, light oak, and doctoral-level care from someone who wears hearing aids herself. 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