Characterization of 24-Hour Noise Exposures Among U.S. Navy Nimitz Class Aircraft Carrier Personnel Not Enrolled in the Hearing Conservation Program

Abstract

Background: Personnel working in an operational shipboard environment on a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier are exposed to a variety of noise hazardous equipment andhazardous noise from flight deck operations. While at sea, work shifts commonly exceed standard 8-hour shifts, reaching durations of 12 hours or more. Personnel with noise exposures less than 85 decibels A weighted (dBA), may be at high risk of noise exposure because areas designated for sleeping and relaxation may be adjacent to shipboard noise hazardous operations. The objective of this study was to characterize 24-hour noise exposure profiles for U.S. Navy Nimitz class aircraft carrier personnel not enrolled in the Department of Defense (DoD) Hearing Conservation Program (HCP). Methods: A total of 45 noise dosimetry samples were collected from personnel not included in the DoD HCP during 24-hour periods while at sea during airwing carrier qualifications. Noise measurements were compared to the EPA 24-hour 70 dBA environmental exposure recommendation. Four homogenous exposure groups (HEGs) were created based upon departmental assignment and task and included: Administration/Religious Ministries/Legal/Training, Combat Systems/Operations, Medical/Dental, and Supply. HEGs were then analyzed and compared to determine if there were significant differences between 24-hour noise exposures between HEGs. Results: A total of 97.8% of the noise dosimetry samples exceeded the EPA environmental noise recommendation of 70 dBA. Combat Systems/Operations had significantly higher noise exposures than Medical/Dental (p=0.014) and Supply (p=0.04) with an overall mean noise exposure of 79.6 dBA. Personnel assigned to work spaces directly below the flight deck had significantly higher average noise exposures compared to personnel working on lower decks.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2017
Accession Number
AD1064102

Entities

People

  • Kevin D. Lange

Organizations

  • Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircraft Carriers
  • Data Analysis
  • Descriptive Analytics
  • Ear
  • Flight Decks
  • Hearing Disorders
  • Hearing Loss
  • Hygiene
  • Industrial Hygiene
  • Information Science
  • Medical Personnel
  • Navy
  • Nimitz-Class
  • Public Health
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Surveys
  • Uss George Washington

Readers

  • Acoustics.
  • Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.
  • Personnel Management and Statistics in the Military and Department of Defense

Technology Areas

  • Space