Skip main navigation

Military Health System

Clear Your Cache

Health.mil has undergone a recent update. For the best user experience we recommend clearing your browser cache.

A U.S. Air Force Airman signals to an F-35A Lightning II pilot at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Aug. 1, 2023. The aircraft are the first of more than 70 F-35s slated to arrive to the 325th Fighter Wing fleet, filling three projected squadrons as Tyndall simultaneously rebuilds into the “Installation of the Future.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Zeeshan Naeem)
Skip subpage navigation

Hearing Center of Excellence

The Defense Health Agency's Hearing Center of Excellence works to improve hearing and balance health.

Our Goals

  • Improve hearing health
  • Enhance operational performance
  • Optimize readiness
  • Enhance service members and veterans quality of life

We work with the Department of Veterans Affairs to achieve our goals in partnership with:

  • Federal health care organizations
  • Universities
  • Public and private institutions

Congressional Mandate

The HCE was created by Congress through the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 to address military hearing injuries. This work includes:

  • Prevention
  • Diagnosis
  • Mitigation
  • Treatment
  • Rehabilitation
  • Research

Our primary focus and responsibilities include:

  • Developing a data registry to track military hearing loss and auditory injuries
  • Encouraging and facilitating hearing health research
  • Developing best practices and clinical education
  • Promoting and implementing hearing loss prevention strategies

Our Structure

We're a branch of the DHA Research and Engineering Directorate. We're led by a branch chief and deputy branch chief. We have service audiology liaisons from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. They connect HCE to the field to address operational needs and problems.

Our Services

Image for SM Resources

Service Member Resources

Image for Clinicians and Technical Resources

Clinicians and Technicians Resources

Image for Research and Collaboration

HCE Research and Collaboration

You also may be interested in...

Fact Sheet
Feb 19, 2025

CY 23 Hearing Health Report

.PDF | 3.87 MB

This report provides a consistent method of reporting data on DOD and service-level Hearing Conservation Programs using standard measures of effectiveness as defined by DODI 6055.12. DOD Hearing Conservation Working Group, Defense Center for Public Health-Dayton, and the DOD Hearing Center of Excellence collaborate to provide information on HCP ...

Fact Sheet
Nov 26, 2024

HPD Fit Test Fact Sheet

.PDF | 330.10 KB

Hearing protector fit testing is a procedure used to quantitively measure the amount of noise reduction a specific hearing protector is providing a user. Fit testing measures the personal attenuation rating (PAR) specific to each individual ear and hearing protector. The PAR is a real-world measurement of the overall attenuation the hearing protector ...

Fact Sheet
Nov 7, 2024

Research and Program Assessment Data - Current Clinical Practice for Tinnitus - 2021 Survey Results All Providers

.PDF | 94.25 KB

Operational performance and quality of life can be impacted by tinnitus, which is the #1 service-connected disability. A multi-disciplinary approach is key to managing patients with bothersome tinnitus. For this Quality Improvement Project, the team sent out the Understanding Practices of Tinnitus Collaborative Survey (UPTiCS) to VA and DoD providers ...

Fact Sheet
Nov 7, 2024

Clinical Practice Recommendation and Resource Tinnitus Care and Referral

.PDF | 113.40 KB

This practice recommendation was initially created for primary care providers, but can be used by any clinician who sees patients with tinnitus. It is a summary of clinical practice guidelines and recommendations for tinnitus. The information provided in the document helps clinicians talk with patients about various types of tinnitus and deter-mine ...

Fact Sheet
Jan 9, 2024

Hearing Protector Fit-Testing Requirement in the Department of Defense

.PDF | 331.11 KB

Significant updates to the Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 6055.12 “Hearing Conservation Program” are expected to be published in April 2023. The significant change is a new requirement for initial hearing protector fit-testing to be conducted for all DOD personnel who have documented noise exposure greater than or equal to 95 dBA 8-hour time ...

Last Updated: December 05, 2024
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on X Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery