Hearing prevention experience.

UNLABELLED

Hearing prevention experience.

PROBLEMS/OBJECTIVES: Many soldiers suffer from serious NIHL due to the lack of an effective hearing prevention policy. To conduct a study to ameliorate the hearing prevention policy.

METHODOLOGY

Literature review Results: Sensitization, innovative hearing protection systems, CEP systems for pilots, using OAEs to identify the actual hearing damage of soldiers and motivating them to better protect themselves, and applying the AHAAH algorithm can determine the number of allowable impulses Conclusions: 1) In line with European and Belgian legislation in this context, tremendous efforts have been made by the Belgian military for information about and sensitization regarding the issue of NIHL. 2) The high variety of positions, functions and environmental factors in a military setting makes the inventory of noise exposures complex and extensive. 3) Efficacious ear protection systems have been rapidly implemented in relation to the most exposed work conditions and, finally, extended to all potential dangerous environments. 4) The use of OAEs was not only a pivotal element in the screening of military staff, but also in their conscientization towards the potentially dramatic consequences of excessive noise exposure. 5) Currently, some "real-life" measurements are being conducted in order to provide military authorities with a complete cadastre on the noise dangers in the Belgian military. 6) The role of military ENT specialists (i.e., ENT and occupational medicine doctors, totally familiar with the working conditions of military personnel), audiologists and specialists in occupational medicine was critical to the success of these initiatives.