title: Impact of noise on hearing in the military.
abstract: Hearing plays a vital role in the performance of a soldier and is important for speech processing. Noise-induced hearing loss is a significant impairment in the military and can affect combat performance. Military personnel are constantly exposed to high levels of noise and it is not surprising that noise induced hearing loss and tinnitus remain the second most prevalent service-connected disabilities. Much of the noise experienced by military personnel exceeds that of maximum protection achievable with double hearing protection. Unfortunately, unlike civilian personnel, military personnel have little option but to remain in noisy environments in order to complete specific tasks and missions. Use of hearing protection devices and follow-up audiological tests have become the mainstay of prevention of noise-induced hearing loss. This review focuses on sources of noise within the military, pathophysiology and management of patients with noise induced hearing loss.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Jenica Su-Ern
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Yong
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: De-Yun
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Wang
keywords: Ear protective devices; Hearing loss; Military personnel; Noise-induced