BARSTOW, Calif. — Having to repeat yourself often? Worried about loss of hearing? The Marine Corps has redefined its needs for Marines to get their hearing checked annually and become more involved with the overall care of their hearing.
The revised Marine Corps order 6260.1E, states Marines need to use the tools offered as part of the Hearing Conservation Program, as hearing loss throughout the Corps has become a significant problem. The program will provide Marines with information on how to protect their ears from sustaining permanent hearing loss.
In the past decade, the Department of Veterans Affairs has been inundated with service members who have complained or experienced hearing loss.
“On average, 49 percent of Marines get out with hearing loss,” said Mike Tianen, industrial hygienist aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. “They offer 10 percent benefits for each ear damaged,” he said, speaking of the VA.
The HCP is not a new concept, but has been reinforced as a result of a Government Accountability Office report published in January that stated the cost to the VA in 2009 for hearing loss and injury compensation exceeded $1 billion paid to more than a million claimants from all services, according to an article in the Marine Corps Times.
“It’s been changed because the Marine Corps is now taking a hard look at why this has been happening and how to prevent it in the future,” said Gunnery Sgt. Dustin Hamilton, ground safety officer, MCLB Barstow. “When Marines transition to the civilian world, the Department of Veterans Affairs gets hit the most on hearing loss.”
As part of the HCP, all Marines must receive a class on how to properly wear and when to use hearing protection. During the class, Marines learn how to detect signs of hearing loss, why it happens and how permanent damage can occur.
“Typically there are signs as to when a person may be experiencing hearing loss,” said Hamilton, a Painesville, Ohio, native. “Something to watch out for is when you’re turning your head to the side to hear more clearly with only one ear or if you are finding yourself in a conversation not being able to understand what is being said, and just nodding in agreement.”
It’s no surprise being at war for the last decade, that the opportunity for Marines to lose their hearing has increased. Loud noises from missiles, rockets, gunfire, IED and other loud weaponry are just some of the causes for increased hearing loss.
“I’ve definitely lost some hearing,” said Sgt. Jacey Marks, a 26-year-old rifleman and fleet manager aboard MCLB Barstow. “With my job you didn’t always have time [for ear protection]. You’re around tanks and loud weapons often. They had to make a new baseline for me when I got my hearing checked last.”
Due to service members increased presence in combat zones and exposure to loud noises, it’s more important than ever to be diligent about one’s own health, especially when it comes to one of your five main senses.
Marines are encouraged to get their hearing checked more frequently if hearing loss is suspected. “If they are concerned that something may have happened and they can’t hear as well, they should go get things checked at medical,” said Marks.
Although the order does not apply specifically to civilians, civilian employees aboard MCLB Barstow are encouraged to have their hearing tested as well.
“The reason everyone is included in the HCP is because much of their noise exposure is very hard to quantify, especially for those who deploy,” said Tianen. “Therefore, they play it safe and place everyone in the HCP.”
For more information on the HCP contact the safety office at (760) 577-6509 or the industrial hygienists office at (760) 577-6316.
