A Glimpse of History: The Origin of Hearing Conservation Was in the Military?
Abstract
In the beginning--actually, we skip the beginning and start around the time of World War II. There were no hearing conservation programs in the military! Aural rehabilitation remained the main focus until around 1950, when jet aircraft began to appear at airbases and on aircraft carriers. The surprising increase in level of jet engine noise stimulated studies that verified the threat of high levels of acoustic energy to human auditory and non-auditory function. Intensified efforts expanded this concern to include other military-unique noises and, eventually, conventional occupational noises. In 1947, 23 years prior to the Occupational Safety and Health Agency regulation of 1970, the first hearing conservation program was implemented in the Air Force. Few hearing conservation programs existed in industry. Many present industrial programs are modeled after this pioneering Air Force effort. Today, no total uniformity exists in the hearing conservation programs of the military branches. An effort is nearing completion to integrate these individual programs into a new Department of Defense Hearing Conservation Program. Initial implementation of this revolutionary program is expected during calendar year 1998.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA355531
Entities
People
- Charles W. Nixon
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory