No CrossRef data available.
Article contents
Determination of conventional and high frequency hearing thresholds of infantry and artillery
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 November 2024
Abstract
Objective
This study aims to assess the pure tone auditory thresholds in infantry and artillery personnel to evaluate potential hearing loss and ascertain the effect of military service duration on these thresholds.
Methods
A total of 108 participants, comprising 35 infantry, 30 artillery personnel, and 43 healthy volunteers as controls, underwent conventional and high-frequency pure tone audiometry. Thresholds were measured across frequencies of 125–16000 Hz.
Results
Artillery personnel exhibited significantly higher hearing thresholds compared to controls across various frequencies, particularly in the right ear. Infantry personnel showed elevated thresholds at specific frequencies in the left ear. Correlations were observed among age, years of service and number of shots fired.
Conclusion
Repetitive exposure to firearm noise can lead to significant hearing loss across a broad frequency range. Implementing comprehensive ear protection programs for military personnel is crucial to mitigate these risks.
- Type
- Main Article
- Information
- Copyright
- © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED.
Footnotes
Ceren Karaçaylı takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper.
References
Collée, A, Legrand, C, Govaerts, B, Van Der Veken, P, De Boodt, F, Degrave, E. Occupational exposure to noise and the prevalence of hearing loss in a Belgian military population: a cross-sectional study. Noise Health 2011;13:64–70Google Scholar
Muhr, P, Rosenhall, U. The influence of military service on auditory health and the efficacy of a hearing conservation program. Noise Health 2011;13:320–7Google Scholar
Theodoroff, SM, Konrad-Martin, D. Noise: acoustic trauma and tinnitus, the US military experience. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 2020;53:543–53Google Scholar
Henry, JA, Griest, S, Reavis, KM, Grush, L, Theodoroff, SM, Young, S, et al. Noise Outcomes in Servicemembers Epidemiology (NOISE) study: design, methods, and baseline results. Ear Hear 2021;42:870–85Google Scholar
Piyade Sınıfının Görevleri Nelerdir? In: https://www.kkk.tsk.tr/kkksablonmaster/header/kurumsal/siniflar/piyade.aspx [11 August 2023]Google Scholar
Topçu Sınıfının Görevleri Nelerdir? In: https://www.kkk.tsk.tr/kkksablonmaster/header/kurumsal/siniflar/topcu.aspx [11 August 2023]Google Scholar
Luha, A, Merisalu, E, Reinvee, M, Kinnas, S, Jõgeva, R, Orru, H. In-vehicle noise exposure among military personnel depending on type of vehicle, riding compartment and road surface. BMJ Mil Health 2020;166:214–20Google Scholar
U.S. Navy Medicine. Aeromedical Reference and Waiver Guide. In: https://www.med.navy.mil/Navy-Medicine-Operational-Training-Command/Naval-Aerospace-Medical-Institute/Aeromedical-Reference-and-Waiver-Guide/ [10 August 2023]Google Scholar
Mcbride, DI, Williams, S. Audiometric notch as a sign of noise induced hearing loss. Occup Environ Med 2001;58:46–51Google Scholar
Büchler, M, Kompis, M, Hotz, MA. Extended frequency range hearing thresholds and otoacoustic emissions in acute acoustic trauma. Otol Neurotol 2012;33:1315–22Google Scholar
Nelson, DI, Nelson, RY, Concha-Barrientos, M, Fingerhut, M. The global burden of occupational noise-induced hearing loss. Am J Ind Med 2005;48:446–58Google Scholar
Irgens-Hansen, K, Sunde, E, Bråtveit, M, Baste, V, Oftedal, G, Koefoed, V, et al. Hearing loss in the Royal Norwegian Navy: a cross-sectional study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2015;88:641–9Google Scholar
Bohnker, BK, Page, JC, Rovig, GW, Betts, LS, Sack, DM. Navy Hearing Conservation Program: 1995–1999 retrospective analysis of threshold shifts for age, sex, and officer/enlisted status. Mil Med 2004;169:73–6Google Scholar
Gordon, JS, Griest, SE, Thielman, EJ, Carlson, KF, Helt, WJ, Lewis, MS, et al. Audiologic characteristics in a sample of recently-separated military veterans: the Noise Outcomes in Servicemembers Epidemiology study (NOISE study). Hear Res 2017;349:21–30Google Scholar
Pelausa, EO, Abel, SM, Simard, J, Dempsey, I. Prevention of noise-induced hearing loss in the Canadian military. J Otolaryngol 1995;24:271–80Google Scholar
İstanbulluoğlu, H, Kır, T. Occupational noise exposure (the case of military personnel) [in Turkish]. TAF Prev Med Bull 2016;15:376–81Google Scholar
Job, A, Cardinal, F, Michel, H, Klein, C, Ressiot, E, Gauthier, J. Tinnitus and associated handicaps in the French Mountain Artillery: assessment by the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory. Mil Med 2018;183:e302–6Google Scholar
Niebuhr, DW, Completo, JD, Helfer, TM, Chandler, DW. A comparison of the military entrance processing station screening audiogram with the Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness System reference audiogram at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in 2000. Mil Med 2006;171:117–21Google Scholar
Meinke, DK, Finan, DS, Flamme, GA, Murphy, WJ, Stewart, M, Lankford, JE, et al. Prevention of noise-induced hearing loss from recreational firearms. Semin Hear 2017;38:267–81Google Scholar
Nageris, BI, Raveh, E, Zilberberg, M, Attias, J. Asymmetry in noise-induced hearing loss: relevance of acoustic reflex and left or right handedness. Otol Neurotol 2007;28:434–7Google Scholar
Johnson, DW, Sherman, RE. Normal development and ear effect for contralateral acoustic reflex in children six to twelve years old. Dev Med Child Neurol 1979;21:572–81Google Scholar
Pirilä, T, Jounio-Ervasti, K, Sorri, M. Hearing asymmetry among left-handed and right-handed persons in a random population. Scand Audiol 1991;20:223–6Google Scholar
Job, A, Grateau, P, Picard, J. Intrinsic differences in hearing performances between ears revealed by the asymmetrical shooting posture in the army. Hear Res 1998;122:119–24Google Scholar