Noise and Military Service

The Institute of Medicine carried out a study mandated by Congress and sponsoredby the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide an assessment of several issuesrelated to noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus associated with service in theArmed Forces since World War II. The resulting book, Noise and Military Service: Implications for Hearing Loss andTinnitus, presents findings on the presence of hazardous noise in military settings,levels of noise exposure necessary to cause hearing loss or tinnitus, risk factors fornoise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus, the timing of the effects of noise exposureon hearing, and the adequacy of military hearing conservation programs and audiometrictesting. The book stresses the importance of conducting hearing tests (audiograms)at the beginning and end of military service for all military personnel andrecommends several steps aimed at improving the military services' prevention ofand surveillance for hearing loss and tinnitus. The book also identifies researchneeds, emphasizing topics specifically related to military service.