Canadian Football Recruits
Ear Stress for Soldiers
There are thousands of US soldiers who acquire hearing loss because they are not provided with ear protection against noises heard in battle. It’s too difficult to give a number to it. This year, the extent of the problem is now being studied. A hearing specialist reported that around 250,000 men each year suffer hearing loss so severe that they do not make it to the actual combat. This estimate was based on a study that took place at Fort Jackson where it was found out those who suffered hearing loss lost their jobs, claims the army hospital’s chief audiologist.
A hearing loss rate of 113 is needed for such a decision to be made. This rating was found to include about 50 percent of the total number of soldiers permanently assigned to Fort Jackson. A 112 rating applied to about 23.5 percent of the soldiers. Ear plugs for each ear was recommended by the surgeon general’s office back in 1963. This has not happened. Though earplugs were supplied to some, they were not individually fitted. It was discovered that at Fort Dix, recruits were not strictly made to wear ear plugs while training in the rifle ranges. Range officials discourage the use of ear plugs sometimes even if this will have serious consequences on hearing. The use of ear plugs began to be enforced by fort officials upon hearing the report of the experts.
The men at the tank training school in Fort Knox accept partial deafness as a part of their lives. A soldier complains that wearing earplugs during a cannon fire is like having a stick poking at your eardrum. 832 rounds of gunfire were what the trainees and instructors at the Fort Knox range were made to endure. A reporter watched and listened for only two hours, but 16 hours later his ears were still ringing. Ear muffs are more effective for ear protection for those operating tanks.
A commander at Fort Rucker has pointed out that helicopter and flight ground crews are not spared from hearing loss problems. The laboratory came to the conclusion that the Army’s helicopter helmet does not effectively screen noise. It recommends that the present be replaced with the one used by the Navy. The Army does not believe in the strength of the helmet to protect its wearer from a crash. This is the same story for the Canadian air force which also uses the same helmet. Since those at the Army tank corps use only repainted football helmets, he recommends that the same helmet be used by them as well. The ear plugs issued by the Army don’t seem to be comfortable for soldiers. Cigarette filters seem to be a better alternative for them. Hardly any protection can be gained from these more comfortable alternatives.
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Gasper Stare – 2010 Football Highlight
