Doug Muir was a flight engineer on them and passed away in August. he was the last FE I believe.
Hearing loss wasn't the biggest problem for the crews but Deep Vein Thrombosis probably struck many.
Doug said there were a number of crew members who died early, way before DVT was recognised and he felt THAT was what had wacked them.
He was a keen surfer and body surfed at Columbo on the overnights and at home in Perth while many of the others sat drinking.
The engines don't deafen you as much as the prop tips.
Try sitting in the jumpseat of a DC-3 and on takeoff you'll find the inside of your ears don't just ring, they itch.
The FEs sat in the pylon close to the engines.
Ofm all the aeroplanes that have flown, I'd have liked to have a bash at the Cat and the DC-4.