The Sandbag Times Issue No: 51

New partnership to support
veterans with hearing problems
Combat Stress is to work with UK Veterans
Hearing Help (UKVHH) to support former servicemen
and women with hearing problems
associated with their service in the Armed
Forces.
Some veterans undergoing mental health
treatment with us struggle to join in with our
group therapy sessions as they have difficulty
hearing what’s being said. Tinnitus and high
frequency hearing loss is common condition
among those who were in contact with heavy
weapon fire, constant noise through communications
headsets and so on.
Last week UKVHH visited Tyrwhitt House to
talk about what their organisation does and
how Combat Stress can refer veterans for
hearing assessment and provision of state-ofthe-art
aids.
Adrienne Coward, Regional Operations
Manager South for Combat Stress, said:
“Even a small loss of hearing can greatly
restrict any of us and result in isolation. This
can worsen mental health and make it very
hard to take part in talking treatments.
“By working with UKVHH, we can help veterans
make even better use of the treatments
we offer and make it easier for them to enjoy
family life, leisure time and work.”
Colin Baker, UK Veterans Hearing Help
Stakeholder Engagement Lead, said: “We
fully understand the difficulties experienced
by those with a hearing loss, which can
cause additional stress as well as the reluctance
by individuals to join group sessions
and social events.
“Hearing loss is something that you cannot
see and often causes problems through the
lack of understanding by others. We look forward
to working with Combat Stress and
together, believe that we can raise the quality
of life for those suffering as a result of military
service and enhance their ability to join in
with others on the road to recovery.”
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