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. 2022 Jan 7;66(1):60-68.
doi: 10.1093/annweh/wxab067.

The Effect of Using an Active Earmuff on High Frequency Hearing in United States Marine Corps Weapons Instructors

Jeremy Federman  1 , Stephanie Karch  1 , Christon Duhon  2 , Linda Hughes  1 , Devon Kulinski  1   3
Affiliations

The Effect of Using an Active Earmuff on High Frequency Hearing in United States Marine Corps Weapons Instructors

Jeremy Federman et al. Ann Work Expo Health. .

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the change in hearing and perceived comfort over 1 year related to using an active hearing protection device (HPD) among United States Marine Corps (USMC) personnel routinely exposed to hazardous noise.

Methods: USMC Weapons Instructors (n = 127) were issued an active earmuff that met military standards and was compatible with other protective equipment. These participants completed pre- and post-hearing tests and comfort surveys. A control cohort (n = 94) was also included to compare individual changes in high-frequency pure tone average (HF-PTA) over 1 year.

Results: The control group's HF-PTA was 3 dB worse than the intervention group after only 1 year. Survey responses revealed perceived improvements in the ability to hear and understand, situational awareness, and safety.

Conclusions: Active HPDs can reduce hearing loss and improve hearing-related occupational tasks.

Keywords: Weapons Instructor; attenuation; comfort; hearing protection device (HPD); military.

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