Study on noise induced hearing loss in military personnel

The aim of the study is to identify early changes in hearing thresholds amongst the personnel, especially combatants, and suggest protective measures for the same so as to improve the battle preparedness of troops, Lieutenant General Mandeep Singh, Director General Hospital Services of the Armed Forces, said.

Exposure to noise is more common in combatants owing to their close proximity to tanks, guns and vehicles. Hence, screening of noise induced hearing loss is very important amongst these personnel.

"This would help to develop screening and training protocol for the troops and institute capacity building of personal protective measures," Singh said.

Titled 'Noise induced hearing loss in military personnel: Early diagnosis and prevention', the study will be conducted by military hospital in Hissar.

Lt Gen Singh said that otoacoustic emission (OAE), a sound which is generated from within the inner ear, may be diagnostic predictors for noised induced hearing loss.

"Reduction of morbidity due to noise induced hearing loss would be advantageous to patient population in service conditions," he said.