Hearing Protection Guide

Hearing Protection Guide

PRESENTED BY Source: Sertomablog
JENNIFER STIDLEY
RAJ BRAHMBHATT
FULERA SALAMI
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD

Why you should protect your
Hearing

 Hearing loss is permanent, protect it or lose it.
 Certain Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) require good hearing.
 Loss of hearing can lead to early discharge.
 Hearing loss is preventable.
 Good hearing increases your chances of survival in combat.
 According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) among

military veterans, the most common service-connected disabilities are
hearing impairments and veterans were 30% more likely to have severe
hearing impairment than non-veterans (2011).

Why you should protect your
Hearing

Types of Hearing Protection

 Hand-formed (foam) earplugs

Types of Hearing Protection

1. Roll the 3. Hold
earplug earplug in
between place until
fingers. Make it expands
sure there are (about 15
no creases in it. seconds).

2. Pull up and Poor Fit! Good Fit!
back on ear
and insert
earplug into
ear canal.

Types of Hearing Protection

 Preformed earplugs

Types of Hearing Protection

 1. Pull up and back Poor Fit Good Fit!
on ear (this
straightens the ear
canal and makes
the earplug easier
to insert).

 2. Insert earplug
into ear.

 3. The last flange
should be flush
with ear canal
opening.

Types of Hearing Protection

 Combat earplugs

Types of Hearing Protection

 Follow the instructions
for preformed
earplugs.

 Use the closed setting
for steady noise (like
vehicles, aircraft, or
generators).

 Use the open setting
for impulse noise
(weapons, explosions).

Types of Hearing Protection

 Earmuffs

Make sure the cups
completely cover
the ears
For highly noise-
hazardous areas,
wear earmuffs over
earplugs for added
protection.

Tactical Communication and
Protective Systems (TCAPS)

Types of Hearing Protection

 TCAPS are high-tech electronic hearing protection that
enhance hearing in tactical environments.

 There are many different types.
 Consult with your local Hearing Program to determine

which type would be best for your situation.
 It is important to train with these units before deployment.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011, July 22).
Severe Hearing Impairment Among Military Veterans --- United
States, 2010. Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6028a4.htm

National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication
Disorders. (n.d.). Quick Statistics [NIDCD Health Information].
Retrieved from
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/pages/quick.aspx

Veterans Health Council. (n.d.).Hearing loss. Veterans Health
Council. Retrieved from
http://www.veteranshealth.org/GWOT/hearing.html

For More Information Visit

 Your base Hearing Conservation Clinic

 Center for Disease prevention (CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/hearingchecklist.html

 U.S Army Public Health Command
http://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/workplacehealth/hrc/Pages
/HearingConservation.aspx

 DoD Hearing Center of Excellence
http://hearing.health.mil/HearingLoss101.aspx