Hearing Loss Prevention: Improvements to DOD Hearing Conservation Programs Could Lead to Better Outcomes

Abstract

Exposure to hazardous noise can have negative implications for both servicemember health and readiness. Moreover, in fiscal year 2009, some of the most common impairments for veterans receiving Veterans Affairs (VA) disability benefits were hearing related, as annual payments for such conditions exceeded $1.1 billion. To examine Department of Defense (DOD) efforts to prevent hearing loss, GAO is reporting on (1) how well the DOD and armed services identify and mitigate hazardous noise; (2) how well the military evaluates hearing conservation program performance; and (3) the status of DOD's Hearing Center of Excellence and the extent that DOD and VA are sharing information to inform this and other efforts. GAO reviewed DOD and services' policies and guidance, reviewed DOD performance data, interviewed officials and servicemembers, and conducted site visits to nine military bases.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2011
Accession Number
ADA537027

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Assistive Technologies
  • Brain Injuries
  • Congress
  • Department Of Veterans Affairs
  • Health Services
  • Hearing Disorders
  • Hearing Loss
  • Hearing Protection
  • Industrial Hygiene
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Aircraft
  • Military Science
  • Protective Equipment
  • Therapy
  • United States Government

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Government Contracting/Procurement.
  • Mental Health of Military Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Risk Factors, Prevalence, Symptoms, and Treatment.