Salus University, Elkins Park, Pa, and Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center (PVAMC), together with Montgomery County Community College (MCCC), Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) and the Department of Defense Hearing Center of Excellence and Vision Center of Excellence, recently hosted a health-screening program for student veterans, according to a news release from Salus University. The Salus Veterans Readiness Initiative Multisensory Screening and Care pilot program offered free multisensory (vision, hearing, balance) screenings, follow-up treatment, and rehabilitation.

During the screening, faculty and students in Salus’ optometry and audiology departments conducted customized multisensory screenings at CCP and MCCC, per the release. PVAMC—which, per the release, is the regional medical center for Veterans Health Administration in eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, and southern New Jersey—provided on-site liaison and outreach, including assistance with VA health care enrollment and case management.

Veterans exposed to blast and other trauma during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts can receive mild traumatic brain injury and/or post-concussion syndrome, the release explains. This exposure to blast and trauma is also associated with sensory dysfunction and symptoms including blurry vision, headaches, aversion to light and sounds, dizziness, and trouble hearing. These problems, the release continues, can substantially hinder veterans’ ability to reintegrate into the community after returning from service, and these hindrances include educational performance and employability.

Veterans with sensory dysfunction typically pass standard vision and hearing tests, the release continues. A more in-depth exploration using specialized visual and auditory assessment can uncover these conditions and dictate the appropriate treatment.

Salus University President and former Deputy Surgeon General of the US Navy Michael H. Mittelman, OD, MPH, says in the release, “Leading the Navy Medical Service Corps gave me a unique understanding of the health care issues faced by returning veterans. This program will help these young men and women get back to their lives. We are proud to partner with these outstanding organizations to offer veterans the health care they need and deserve.”

[Sources: Salus University, PR Newswire]