Just the Facts - Noise and Hearing Loss

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WHAT is it?

• Hearing loss caused by loud noise is a common long term injury.
• Noise is a common hazard military personnel and civilians could face in the workplace and during training.
• The most destructive occupational and recreational noise is from firing weapons and from aircraft noise.
• The first clues of a noise-induced hearing loss may be turning up the TV or asking family members to repeat what was said or having difficulty understanding conversations with a lot of background noise.

WHEN and WHERE can it damage your hearing?

• At work, at home and at play.
• Anytime there is noise and you have to raise your voice to be heard at one metre – and this is not only when you are at work.
• At 85 decibels (dB(A)) or more for continuous (steady) noise and 140 dB(C) or more for impulse (short duration such as impact) noise.

WHY protect your hearing?

• Hearing loss caused by noise can be permanent.
• Loud noise can cause ringing in your ears, increase stress and fatigue.
• Impaired hearing can cause serious or fatal mistakes in combat and at work.

HOW can you protect your hearing?

• Seek and use equipment which produces / emits low noise levels.
• Utilise noise reduction procedures and ensure they are effective – ensure doors are closed.
• Use properly fitted and maintained hearing protection (i.e. approved ear plugs, ear muffs or helmets).
• Cotton wool, tissues and fingers are not good hearing protectors!
• If you are about to start a noisy task, let those nearby know so they can either leave the area or use hearing protection.

REMEMBER the four "P"s:

• PAINLESS,
• PROGRESSIVE,
• PERMANENT and
• PREVENTABLE!

Notes: The sponsor for this Fact Sheet is the Directorate of Military Medicine within the JHC. This Fact Sheet was developed with the cooperation of the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine.