The Army does not supply protection against the noises of artillery and military vehicles, leaving thousands of soldiers suffering from hearing loss. Precise figures are unavailable. This year, effort is being made to see just how severe this problem is. Hearing loss prevents around 250,000 men from entering the battle, reports one of the Army's top hearing specialist.
Hearing loss was the reason why so many men lost their jobs at Fort Jackson, said the army hospital's chief audiologist. This move would only be done if the hearing loss is at 113. The study showed 52.7 per cent of the soldiers permanently assigned to Fort Jackson had such a rating. About less than a quarter of these soldiers were given the 112 rating. The surgeon general's office advised the use of ear plugs for each Army recruit back in 1963. An implementation of this recommendation did not follow through.
Though earplugs were supplied to some, they were not individually fitted. At the Fort Dix rifle ranges, it was found out that the wearing of ear plugs wasn't enforced. 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. The use of ear plugs is now being required by fort officials, thanks to the report issued by hearing specialists. The men at Fort Knox know that partial deafness is something they just have to deal with and accept. A soldier who wears ear plugs experiences pain in his eardrum when a cannon is fired.
Almost a hundred trainees and their instructors at Fort Knox exposed themselves to the noise of 832 rounds during a training session. 16 hours later, a reporter who was present could still hear the ringing in his ears. Tankers are advised to wear ear muffs for further ear damage protection. A commander reveals that helicopter flight and ground crews are at risk of acquiring hearing loss as well.
His laboratory concluded that the type of helicopter helmet used by the Army didn't do a good job screening noise. It recommends that the present be replaced with the one used by the Navy. Both the Army and the Navy have differing views with regard to the protection the helmet provides in case of a crash.
The air force of Canada whose pilots use the same helmets attest to this claim. He said that this helmet, costing around $118 should be the same headgear of the crews who ride tanks. Soldiers don't find the Army's ear plugs very comfortable. Using cigarette filters as ear plugs would be better, they say. These temporary ear plugs don't give much protection, experts claim.
