Mason Blake
Military personnel who have been exposed to mortar sounds and blasts have reported symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, hearing problems, nausea, and vomiting. While the exact impact of mortar blasts on the brain is not yet fully understood, there is growing evidence that repeated exposure to blasts may lead to long-term brain injuries, including traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussion-like symptoms. The US military is currently conducting studies to investigate the potential link between mortar blasts and brain injuries, with some soldiers reporting debilitating symptoms without an official diagnosis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Symptoms | Headaches, dizziness, ringing in ears, nausea, vomiting, nightmares, panic attacks, depression, hallucinations, sleeplessness, anxiety |
| Extent of exposure | Soldiers exposed to thousands of low-level blasts |
| Lack of diagnosis | Soldiers report symptoms but do not receive a diagnosis |
| Research gap | The effects of repetitive, low-level blasts have not been extensively studied |
| Hearing damage | Exposure to loud noises can cause hearing damage |
| Brain scarring | Repeated blast exposure may cause brain scarring and neural connection failure |
| Safety measures | Some mortar systems have Blast Attenuation Devices (BAD) to redirect blasts |
| Training | Soldiers receive training on how to handle mortars to avoid injury |
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What You'll Learn
- Soldiers exposed to low-level blasts from mortars report symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and nausea
- Hearing damage is a common issue for soldiers, even with the use of hearing protection
- The US Military is researching long-term traumatic brain injuries caused by artillery fire
- Micro-injuries to the brain, similar to CTE, may be caused by constant exposure to pressure differentials
- Soldiers who fired thousands of mortar rounds during training reported debilitating symptoms of traumatic brain injury
Soldiers exposed to low-level blasts from mortars report symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and nausea
Soldiers exposed to low-level blasts from mortars often report symptoms like headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms are indicative of potential brain injuries caused by the blasts. While the military maintains that these blasts are not powerful enough to cause brain injuries, soldiers' experiences suggest otherwise.
The effects of repetitive, low-level blasts from mortars on the brain have not been extensively studied. However, preliminary research suggests that constant exposure to these blasts may result in occupational hazards for soldiers, particularly those who work with mortars. The long-term effects of these blasts on brain function are not yet well understood, but they may lead to debilitating symptoms.
For instance, one soldier who fired around 10,000 mortar rounds during training struggled with basic tasks like reading and math afterward. Another soldier experienced fits that affected his internal sense of time, causing his surroundings to seem to move in fast-forward. These experiences align with reports from veterans who describe traumatic brain injury (TBI) as an "invisible wound of war."
The complexity of the brain makes it challenging to fully understand the impact of low-level blasts. However, research by Phillips and Callahan revealed that troops exposed to blasts exhibited signs similar to concussions, such as sleeplessness, depression, anxiety, and symptoms resembling PTSD. Additionally, a 2016 study by Gu et al. found that mice exposed to blasts just above the military's safety level showed no visible brain damage but displayed behavioral changes and widespread damage to their brains under a microscope.
The issue of brain injuries from blast exposure is not limited to mortars but extends to various heavy weapons, including cannons, shoulder-fired rockets, and large-caliber machine guns. The loudness of these weapons and the resulting shockwaves can lead to hearing damage and other negative health consequences. The extent of hearing damage depends on factors such as sound level in decibels and the duration of exposure.
While further research is needed to fully comprehend the impact of low-level blasts on the brain, the existing evidence suggests that soldiers' reports of symptoms following mortar exposure warrant serious consideration. The potential for brain injuries in these cases underscores the importance of studying and addressing the long-term effects of blast exposure on the mental and physical health of military personnel.
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Hearing damage is a common issue for soldiers, even with the use of hearing protection
Hearing damage is a significant issue for soldiers, even when they use hearing protection. Soldiers are regularly exposed to high levels of noise, and hearing loss and tinnitus are the second most prevalent service-connected disabilities. Hearing loss can occur immediately after an extremely loud noise or blast, but it often occurs gradually. Soldiers may eventually notice they are struggling to understand parts of everyday conversation. Even a slight decrease in hearing can affect a soldier's ability to understand speech and lead to mission degradation or failure.
Hearing protection is just as important to a soldier's safety as body armour and a helmet. However, many soldiers do not wear hearing protection, or only wear it on one side. This can be due to a belief that, having been exposed to loud noises already, they do not need protection. It can also be because they feel that wearing protection interferes with their ability to detect and localize auditory warnings and perceive orders.
The US Army has introduced new forms of earplugs that increase a person's awareness while also protecting their ears. However, even the best hearing protection will be ineffective if it is not worn or used properly. Commanders and leaders need to emphasize to soldiers the importance of taking their hearing seriously and wearing hearing protection routinely.
The US Military is also conducting studies into long-term traumatic brain injuries caused by firing artillery. Each shot fired is like a mini-concussion, and the cumulative effect of these on the brain is an area that requires further research.
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The US Military is researching long-term traumatic brain injuries caused by artillery fire
The US Military has a long history of investigating the impacts of blast exposures on its personnel, dating back to World War I. With the frequent use of high explosives in trench warfare, service members experienced "shell shock" or "commotio cerebri," characterized by headaches, amnesia, concentration issues, sleep disturbances, depression, and suicidality. Today, the US Military continues to prioritize the health and well-being of its soldiers by delving deeper into the long-term effects of blast-induced injuries.
One area of concern is the potential for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), which includes concussions, subconcussions, and exposures to explosive blasts. mTBI is the most common traumatic brain injury among military personnel but is often challenging to diagnose and understand fully. Research suggests that a single traumatic brain injury can lead to long-term atrophy of gray and white matter, increasing the risk of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and motor neuron diseases. Repetitive mTBIs can also result in chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
The effects of repetitive, low-level blasts associated with mortars and other concussive weapon systems have received particular attention. Soldiers exposed to these blasts during training and deployment have reported symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, ringing in their ears, nausea, and vomiting. The constant exposure to these blasts over several years of a military career poses a significant risk to the health and well-being of the soldiers.
To address these concerns, the US Military has initiated several studies. One study will examine the effects of chronic repetitive head injuries and mild TBI from "tier 1" weapons, including mortars. Another study will assess the "doses" of shock waves produced by different weapons and their long-term impacts on soldiers' health. By comparing soldiers in roles with varying levels of exposure to these weapons, the military hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.
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Micro-injuries to the brain, similar to CTE, may be caused by constant exposure to pressure differentials
The effects of repetitive, low-level blasts from mortar rounds on the brain are an area that has not been significantly explored. However, there is growing concern about the potential for micro-injuries to the brain, similar to those seen in cases of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Mortar blasts create an extremely loud noise, with the potential to cause hearing damage. The pressure wave generated by an explosion can also pass through the brain, causing functional disruption. This is a common cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in military personnel. TBI can result in a range of complications, including fluid buildup in the brain (hydrocephalus), blood vessel damage, and long-term changes in consciousness, awareness, and responsiveness.
The constant exposure to low-level blasts from mortar rounds may result in similar micro-injuries to the brain as seen in CTE. CTE is a neurodegenerative disease often observed in athletes who have experienced repeated head injuries, such as concussions. It is characterized by the buildup of an abnormal protein called tau, which can cause brain cells to die and create lesions in the brain.
While the exact mechanism is not yet fully understood, it is believed that the repetitive blasts from mortars could lead to cumulative micro-injuries in the brain over time. These micro-injuries may manifest as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting, as reported by some military personnel who have undergone mortar training.
The potential for brain damage due to constant exposure to pressure differentials from mortar blasts is a serious concern. Further research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of such exposure and to develop effective protective measures for individuals at risk, such as military personnel who regularly fire mortar weapons.
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Soldiers who fired thousands of mortar rounds during training reported debilitating symptoms of traumatic brain injury
Soldiers exposed to thousands of low-level blasts from firing weapons like mortars report debilitating symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI has been characterised as an "invisible wound of war", with the effects of large explosions from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other weapons systems causing various head traumas. The US military is currently conducting studies into long-term traumatic brain injuries caused by firing artillery, with each shot fired considered a mini-concussion.
Mortars create an extremely loud noise, with some veterans reporting that certain sounds can trigger memories of their time in the military. The 120-millimetre heavy mortar, for example, is a steel tube about the height of a man, used widely in training and combat. It releases enough explosive force to hurl a 31-pound bomb four miles, with the soldier's head just inches from the blast.
While the military claims that these blasts are not powerful enough to cause brain injuries, soldiers argue that the Army is ignoring the evidence. After firing about 10,000 mortar rounds during four years of training, one soldier with near-perfect scores on the military aptitude test struggled with reading and basic math. Another soldier started experiencing fits that affected his internal sense of time, causing everything around him to whirl in fast-forward. A third soldier, Sgt. Michael Devaul, drove home from mortar training in a daze and ended up at his parents' house an hour away from his actual home, with no memory of how he got there.
The constant exposure to low-level blasts has become an occupational hazard for soldiers, especially those who fire mortars and use other large weapons systems for five to ten years in their career. The effects of repetitive, low-level blasts have not been extensively studied, and the understanding of how small blasts can continually damage the brain over time is still evolving.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, according to a report by the Center for a New American Security, repeated exposure to mortar sounds can cause brain damage. Soldiers exposed to thousands of low-level blasts from firing weapons like mortars can exhibit symptoms of traumatic brain injury.
Symptoms of brain damage caused by mortar sounds can include headaches, dizziness, ringing in the ears, nausea, and vomiting, as well as nightmares, panic attacks, depression, hallucinations, sleeplessness, and anxiety. In some cases, individuals may also experience difficulty with basic tasks such as reading or math.
While there may be some protective measures, such as the use of hearing protection and Blast Attenuation Devices (BAD), the complex nature of sound and its impact on the human ear makes it challenging to completely eliminate the risk of damage. The distance from the source of the sound and the duration of exposure also play a role in the potential for hearing and brain damage.
