Has the Army Gone Deaf to the Soldier’s Hearing Needs?
The Army does not supply protection against the noises of artillery and military vehicles, leaving thousands of soldiers suffering from hearing loss. The number of cases cannot be counted.
The magnitude of the problem is being analyzed this year. Hearing loss prevents around 250,000 men from entering the battle, reports one of the Army’s top hearing specialist.
The chief audiologist at the army hospital says that his estimate was based on cases in Fort Jackson where men lost their jobs because of hearing loss. A 113 rating in hearing loss is required for this kind of action.
A 113 rating in hearing loss was found to apply to more than half of the soldiers permanently assigned to Fort Jackson.
A lesser loss of hearing, indicated by 112 rating, was found to apply to around 23.5 percent.
In 1963, it was advised that ear plugs for each ear was a must for Army recruits. This recommendation did not materialize.
Fitting wasn’t done despite the fact that the earplugs were supplied. Army hearing specialists made this discovery that standard issue ear plugs weren’t even worn in the rifle ranges at Fort Dix, NJ.
In some cases, it was found out that range officials did not advise the use of ear plugs despite its provision of safety to the ears.
Ear plugs became a requirement of the fort officials when the report was handed out by the hearing specialists.
Partial deafness is a reality already for the men at the tank training school in Fort Knox. A soldier reported wearing these ear plugs felt physical pain like someone poking hard at his eardrum with a blunt stick when the 90mm cannon of an M48 task was fired nearby.
Many trainees and their instructors experienced exposure to 832 round of gunfire during a training session.
There was an observer who reported that after 16 hours, he could still hear the ringing in his ears. Wearing ear muffs is a protective measure recommended by experts.
A commander reveals that helicopter flight and ground crews are at risk of acquiring hearing loss as well.
Noise screening is not something the present helicopter helmet does effectively. It recommends that the present be replaced with the one used by the Navy.
In cases where a crash could happen, the Army believes the helmet would not suffice as protective headgear.
The Canadian air force agrees. He said that this helmet, costing around $118 should be the same headgear of the crews who ride tanks.
The Army ear plugs don’t give much comfort to soldiers when worn. They would rather use cigarette filters in their ears.
The experts say that while these substitutes prescription cialis generic are more comfortable, they will not offer as much protection.
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Category: Health
Keywords: hearing aids, hearing test, hearing loss