Military noise induced hearing loss: incidence and management

Abstract

Noise induced hearing loss remains a leading health hazard in our Armed Fordes. Despite the fact that the Army has developed a comprehensive hearing conservation program, military personnel continue to suffer hearing impairments secondary to noise exposure. A purpose of this review was to illustrate that, although the noise induced pathology usually demonstrates a typical audiometric configuration, several variations of this pattern are possible. It is the responsibility of the military audiologist to match these variations with appropriate hearing aid arrangements, in order to provide the Service member maximum utilization of his/her residual hearing. In recent years, improved electronics, increased research, and the emergence of the military audiologist have combined to provide these handicapped individuals with amplification, which significantly improves their communication ability. Appropriate amplification cannot restore normal hearing but, in most cases, can allow Service members to continue to perform their duties in a productive manner.