Knowledge and Attitude of Infantry Soldiers to Hearing Conservation

Okpala, Nnaemeka C. E.

doi:10.7205/milmed.172.5.520

Cited by 21 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Typically, hearing loss is worse in the ear on the side opposite the shoulder that supports the fi rearm. Another explanation suggested by Okpala ( 21 ) is that Infantry Soldiers often leave the left ear unprotected to aid communication. Armored Soldiers and Combat Engineers had not perceived a change in their hearing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Barriers to Hearing Conservation Programs in Combat Arms Occupations

Abel

2008

asem

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Good hearing was critical to the occupations studied. Difference in hearing loss among groups was related to type and level of noise exposure. Loss of hearing and/or the use of hearing protection compromised situational awareness, exchange of information, and auditory task performance. Participants favored opportunities to try recommended devices, policies governing use, and sufficient funding to ensure protection for both regular and special forces.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Barriers to Hearing Conservation Programs in Combat Arms Occupations

Abel

2008

asem

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“…[20] The education regarding risk factors for hearing loss was estimated as adequate by 80% participants of this study, and 95% of them reported that they had adequate knowledge about risk areas around weapons and the use of HPDs. In a British study [8] inadequate education of the HCPs was reported, and all the infantry soldiers in this study had experienced temporary hearing loss. Moreover, communication difficulty was the most acknowledged problem.…”

Section: Exposure To Noisementioning

confidence: 69%

“…The compliance of an HCP is dependent on knowledge and attitude among the conscripts. [8] All conscripts are educated in the risks and consequences of NIHL, levels of noise exposure from weapons and vehicles and how to protect themselves in accordance with the Safety Regulations. The soldiers used earmuffs, helmets with earmuffs, or a combination of earplugs and earmuffs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of military service on auditory health and the efficacy of a hearing conservation program

Muhr

Rosenhall

2011

Noise Health

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The influence of military service on self-assessed hearing symptoms and measured auditory function was studied as well as the efficacy of the Hearing Conservation Program (HCP) of the Swedish Armed Forces. 839 conscripts were recruited for the study at reporting to military service. They were all exposed to noise over the risk-limits from weapons and vehicles and used earmuffs and/or earplugs. Questionnaires and pure tone screening audiometry were studied at the start and the end of the military service. Retrospective information regarding audiometry at conscription before military service was included as control. The prevalence values of tinnitus were 23% before and 32% after the service and of sensitivity to noise 16% and 19% respectively. The prevalence values of hearing impairment were 6.3% at conscription, 14.5% at reporting to military service, and 24% after the training period. The incidence values of hearing decline were 3.7% during the period with no military noise exposure and 6.6% during the military service. Acoustic accident increased the risk of worsened tinnitus and sensitivity to noise four times and for a high frequency hearing decline six times. We observed elevated prevalence values of tinnitus, sensitivity to noise and hearing impairment at discharge compared to before military service. We observed an elevated risk of hearing decline during military service. Acoustic accident increased the risk of tinnitus, noise sensitivity and hearing decline. We suggest improvements regarding inclusion criteria for military service, and for education regarding the HCP.

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“…As in the above quoted survey, the participants in our study too found use of hearing protection devices to be incompatible with other gear, uncomfortable and an impediment to hearing and communication. 7 Other military studies have found that acoustic trauma in conscripts could be prevented with suitable, well-fitted protection devices and proper safety measures while planning training schedules. 8,9 However in the present study our survey revealed low levels of awareness towards hearing protection devices.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These included communication difficulties, discomfort, and the impracticability of using them in certain circumstances. 7 In our study, the KAP survey established that most cadets were unaware of the long-term consequences of ENT morbidity and its effect on service, hearing protection devices or hearing conservation. Due to the disciplined and structured training schedule, noise exposure due to leisure time activities was minimal.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Training related ENT morbidity: a study amongst cadets of a military training institute

Raj

2016

Int J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg

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INTRODUCTIONMilitary training involves a harsh and rigorous regimen, which may lead to inadvertent injury and bodily dysfunction. The ear, nose and throat are especially vulnerable given the nature of the training. Regular exposure to loud noise of training firearms, combative nature of the schedule and the physically tough and demanding training may cause ENT morbidity. The present study relates to the cadets of a military training academy undergoing training for induction into the Armed Forces.In military training, a multitude of loud noise exposures may compromise the auditory wellbeing of the cadets. Noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus are not uncommon during military training and subsequent service.1,2 This morbidity causes loss of training manhours and reduced combat readiness, which has a huge impact on cost of training. Moreover cadets undergoing training belong to the young adult age group. During this time other factors may also play a causative role in hearing loss. These include pre enrollment occupational or recreational noise exposure, pre-existing middle ear disease, a positive family history or previous head injury. 3,4 Studies to date describing the patterns of disease and injury in under training military populations have dealt almost exclusively with orthopaedic and musculoskeletal injuries. Despite evidence that suggests that cadets/ recruits are at a greater risk to certain types of training and combat-related illnesses and injuries, the nature and magnitude of these problems has not been fully ABSTRACT Background: Military training involves a harsh and rigorous regimen leading to inadvertent injury and bodily dysfunction. The ear, nose and throat are vulnerable given the nature of the training, which invariably involves combative sports and organized firing practice, which may lead to increased morbidity. This article is based on a population study of training related ENT morbidity amongst cadets undergoing training at a military institute. Methods: The study was carried out in three parts including determinations of morbidity statistics due to ENT illnesses amongst cadets during training, awareness levels and attitudes of cadets towards common ENT ailments and effect of military training on the audiometric parameters. Results: Daily cadet sick report was 250 -270 a month with 21% being respiratory/ENT in nature. Of these 33% were nasal trauma, 18% ear ache with uri, 12% hearing loss/tinnitus, 25% throat symptoms and 12% with allergic symptoms. Overall incidence of hearing loss during the study period was 60.1 per thousand per year, which was mostly transitory. Conclusions: Injuries caused due to training lead to loss of motivation and reduction in combat efficacy as a result of decreased training time. Increasing awareness and better planned training schedules are the need of the hour.

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Knowledge and Attitude of Infantry Soldiers to Hearing Conservation

Cited by 21 publications

References 7 publications

Barriers to Hearing Conservation Programs in Combat Arms Occupations

Barriers to Hearing Conservation Programs in Combat Arms Occupations

The influence of military service on auditory health and the efficacy of a hearing conservation program

Training related ENT morbidity: a study amongst cadets of a military training institute

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