Veteran hearing loss is rarely simple, and tinnitus, blast exposure, and balance problems are often part of the picture. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Alisa McKay to explain why hearing care for veterans requires far more than “just getting hearing aids,” and what clinicians, veterans, and families need to understand to make real progress. Drawing on her experience working in the VA system, Dr. McKay shares what makes the veteran population unique from a hearing healthcare standpoint: more severe, sharply sloping noise-induced hearing loss, frequent tinnitus, and added medical and social complexity. Conditions like PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), auditory processing challenges, and hidden hearing loss often overlap, changing how hearing loss shows up, and how it should be treated. We also explore the role of blast exposure and overpressure, why these injuries can affect more than just the ears, and how vestibular and balance issues can impact mobility, confidence, and daily life. For providers, this conversation sheds light on why standard fittings don’t always work, and why counseling and expectations matter just as much as technology. Finally, we get practical about solutions: ✅ Managing ski‑slope hearing losses and feedback challenges ✅ Tinnitus care grounded in realistic expectations and flexibility ✅ Using sound, counseling, and support to help people rejoin conversations and daily routines Whether you’re a veteran, a family member, or a hearing care professional, this episode will give you a clearer, more complete understanding of veteran hearing loss, and what meaningful care can look like. 00:00 Welcome and Military Month 01:37 Alisa McKay VA Journey 02:42 Why Veterans Inspire 04:21 Memorable VA Patients 06:16 Veteran Hearing Loss Complexities 09:10 Joining Starkey to Scale Impact 11:54 Starkey Tech for Steep Losses 14:30 Tinnitus Counseling and Tools 17:58 Stigma Shifts and Brain Health 20:02 What Military Appreciation Means 21:26 Closing Thanks and Subscribe

Veteran Hearing Loss Explained: Tinnitus, Blast Exposure, and Complex Care

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