Accession Number : ADA019193

Title :   The Prevalence of Hearing Loss within Selected U.S. Army Branches

Descriptive Note : Final rept.

Corporate Author : WALTER REED ARMY MEDICAL CENTER WASHINGTON DC AUDIOLOGY AND SPEECH CENTER

Personal Author(s) : Walden, Brian E. ; Prosek, Robert A. ; Worthington, Don W.

PDF Url : ADA019193

Report Date : 31 AUG 1975

Pagination or Media Count : 106

Abstract : The purpose of this investigation was to derive estimates of the prevalence of hearing loss within U.S. Army branches suspected to be high-risk with regard to hearing loss. Questionnaire data were obtained from high-risk personnel concerning their opinions of their hearing ability, hearing protective devices, and exposure to hazardous noises. Audiometric and questionnaire data were obtained from 3000 enlisted men representing three combat branches (i.e., infantry, armor, artillery) and five time-in-service categories. Subjects were selected at random, in proportion to population sizes, from ten Army posts. All of the data gathering was accomplished by the Audiology Officer(s) assigned to each post. The results suggest that the prevalence of hearing loss is approximately the same in the infantry, armor and artillery branches. In contrast, there are substantial differences in the prevalence of hearing loss according to length of time in service. Further, the problem of premature hearing loss among U.S. Army troops affects only the mid- to high-frequency range in the majority of soliders, with speech-reception thresholds and speech discrimination in quiet frequently remaining within normal limits even in advanced cases of noise-induced hearing loss. A comparison of reported profiles and profiles based upon the audiometric data suggests that many soldiers do not appear to carry the appropriate profile for hearing.

Descriptors :   *NOISE POLLUTION, *HEARING, *DEAFNESS, *OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES, ARMOR, INFANTRY, ENLISTED PERSONNEL, AGING(PHYSIOLOGY), STATISTICAL SAMPLES, TIME, FREQUENCY BANDS, PROFILES, PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, SPEECH RECOGNITION, LOSSES, EXPOSURE(PHYSIOLOGY), CONSERVATION, RECRUITS, QUESTIONNAIRES, ARTILLERY, INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE, AUDIOMETRY.

Subject Categories : Anatomy and Physiology
      Environmental Health and Safety

Distribution Statement : APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE