Page 54 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2017- Online Magazine
P. 54
J.B. Roberts
Do Veterans Also
Sacrifice Good Hearing?
by Gayle Willson
has been Rotary District is more harmful in some people
Governor. He’s a pilot, a than it is in others. Another factor
Sunday school teacher, a is the length of time a person
father and Grandpapa, as is exposed to loud sounds. In
well as my friend. military training and in the field,
loud sudden noises are common,
Mr. Roberts also has suffered as well as constant sounds over
hearing loss, much of it 85 dBs. Mechanics, pilots and
due to circumstances he infantrymen are especially
faced while in the military. susceptible. Even exposure to
Loud noises, machinery chemicals can take its toll on a
and weapons training all person’s hearing.
took a toll on his hearing.
Mr. Roberts began wearing Another factor that can be
hearing aids in 2016, after ototoxic (causing hearing nerve
realizing that he was missing damage) is medication. More
out on a lot of conversation than 200 medications have been
with family and friends. implicated, and might be avoided
After the adjustment period, or substituted. The American
J.B. was once again able Speech Language Hearing
hat an honor it is for to participate in family Association offers an abundance
our offices to serve discussions and community of information about this. Some
Wveterans. To all of activities. research has found
the men and women who have Noise-induced that chemotherapy and
served in the military, we want occurs when “ even over-the-counter
hearing loss
to say, “Thank you for your After the pain relievers can cause
service!” Korean war, J.B. hearing loss. When a
the nerve course of medication
Mr. J.B. Roberts of Plainview, cells in our served in the is necessary for your
Texas is a veteran of the Korean cochlea are Reserves for 15 health, it is advisable to
War. The Air Force captain permanently more years. have a hearing screening
worked in the OSI (Office damaged before and after to note
of Special Investigations). by repeated “ any changes.
Dressed in plain clothes, he overexposure
was responsible for checking to sounds louder than 85 You can take precautions NOW
backgrounds of Air Force decibels. “Some 1 billion people to protect your hearing, and
personnel. He also was a part worldwide are at risk for hearing salvage the hearing you have
of the Air Force skeet shooting loss due to exposure to loud today. If you smoke, stop. Be
team. After the Korean war, J.B. sounds”. A normal conversation aware of the noises around
served in the Reserves for 15 is about 60 dBs. A motorcycle can you. Noise-induced loss can
more years. reach 100 dBs, and a power saw build over time, and many
110dBs. Teens listening to music times it is permanent. But the
J.B. and Ramona (Curry) often expose their hearing nerves important thing to remember is
Roberts have been married for to 100 decibels. that it is PREVENTABLE. Wear
63 years. J.B. was the Chamber protectors, like muffs or earplugs,
of Commerce Man of the Year Heredity can also play a big especially the custom-made kind.
in 2011. He is a Rotarian and part. The effect of loud sounds LOWER the volume. Please,
54 Lubbock Senior Link
