Deaf soldiers post-war stories

[Mike Serpa]

Some interesting but sad stories among these 102 deaf soldiers petitioning the government for help.

The deaf soldier : a brief synopsis of one hundred and two cases of deafness, prepared for the consideration of the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States : Foster, Wallace : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Caption: Headquarters, Silent Army of Deaf Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines, 1090 North Tennessee Street, Indianpolis, Ind

archive.org

 

[kyle.dalton]

Somewhat related: I was surprised to find that partial deafness was a cause for rejecting a potential recruit in the U.S. throughout the war, but only for the first two years in the Confederacy.

According to orders issued by the Adjutant and Inspector General's Office in February 1863, "Deafness...is not a valid reason for exemption, unless so excessive (which must be stated in the monthly report) as to incapacitate a man for the duties of a sentinel."

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

These conditions are so debilitating. My husband is mostly deaf from a work related incident and his tinnitus ( constant ringing, buzzing, clanging noises) is absolutely maddening at times. He was fortunate to find a hearing aid with a sound masker on it that he can tune to the frequency of the tinnitus noises, which effectively cancels them out.

How these men coped with this disability in the 1800s is beyond me. There was no treatment that I'm aware of at all.

 

[JOHN42768]

I can attest to your response. My hearing aids help, but never completely delete the hissing.

 

[Mr King]

This is awful! I'm very sad to read this.

 

[Elliot Crumblemuffin]

Some things never change! Wow, thanks for posting this!