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Military Health System

Vision and Hearing Loss Prevention

Hearing and vision are critical senses.  Service members must be able to see, hear, and communicate in order to achieve their mission safely and effectively, engage with their families, and connect with their communities.

Military personnel are routinely exposed to sensory hazards in combat, training, and by exposure to potentially hazardous conditions on and off duty. Hearing and vision injuries are detrimental to force readiness, attrition, retention, and replacement. Degraded hearing or vision can impact your mission fitness, and service members should treat their eye and ear health like any other physical tool they develop and protect.

We're committed to protecting the vision and hearing health of our service members and veterans, giving them the best opportunity to maintain fitness for duty and the quality of life they deserve!

Protect Your Hearing

It's a noisy world and protecting your hearing is essential, not only for your life in the military but for your relationships in your personal life as well. Check out these links from the DOD's Hearing Center of Excellence to understand hearing loss and how you can prevent it:

Protect Your Vision

There are nearly 2,000 eye injuries occurring in the U.S. each day and almost all of these injuries can be prevented. Check out these links from the DOD's Vision Center of Excellence to understand eye injuries and how you can prevent them:

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Walter Reed Audiology and Speech Pathology Center Focuses on Improving Quality of Life for Military Health System Beneficiaries

Article Around MHS
3/15/2023
World Hearing Day is observed annually on March 3, and this year’s theme is “Ear and Hearing Care for All.”  (Courtesy photo)

Although World Hearing Day is observed just one day during the year, the Audiology and Speech Pathology Center at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center focuses on improving the health and quality of life for MHS beneficiaries nearly every day of the year.

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VCE Makes Laser Eye Exposure Treatment Recommendations

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2/9/2023
Demonstration of new retinal camera

Vision Center of Excellence issues first treatment practice recommendations for laser eye exposure.

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Hearing Noises That Aren’t There? It Could Be Tinnitus

Article Around MHS
2/9/2023
Hearing Issues infographic

Are the noises you're hearing real or imagined? If you've ever wondered that, you may have a condition that 10 percent of the adult population of the United States currently suffer from -- and not even know it.

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Hearing Protector Fit-Testing Requirement in the Department of Defense

Fact Sheet
1/12/2023

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-weighted average (TWA) and who are enrolled in a service hearing conservation program (HCP).

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National Glaucoma Awareness Month

Infographic
12/6/2022

There’s no cure for glaucoma, but early detection and treatment can protect your vision. Learn more and see if you’re at risk. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/outreach-campaigns-and-resources/glaucoma-resources/glaucoma-awareness-month #GlaucomaAwarenessMonth

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January | Vision and Hearing Loss Prevention

I Am Navy Medicine -- Audiology Technician

Article Around MHS
11/3/2022
U.S. Navy Seaman Tabetha M. Sanders, audiology technician

With October designated as Audiology Awareness Month, now is the time for everyone to listen up, heed the call, and harken to the need for healthy hearing.

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Mobile Hearing Tests Prove Successful in the Field and Beyond

Article
10/24/2022
Female service member in front holds a clicker while wearing a headset. In the background is the hearing test technician..

Mobile audiometry equipment can be used from the point of injury to advanced traumas.

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New Policy Benefits Noise-exposed Service Members

Article
10/20/2022
A service member wears headphones while sitting at a desk.

New hearing protection fit-testing policy on the horizon.

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DOD Conservation Programs Help to Decrease Hearing Loss

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10/20/2022
A group of service members walking

Hearing conservation programs help to reduce hearing loss in the military.

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Ask the Doc: All This Noise is Giving Me Headaches

Article
6/13/2022
Ask the Doc: Noise from ship can cause headaches. Try to give your ears a rest when you can.

Ask the Doc: What is causing all of these headaches?

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New Centers Will Deliver Advanced Care for Serious Eye Injuries

Article
4/27/2022
Army Brig. Gen. Katherine Simonson, Defense Health Agency Deputy Assistant Director of the Research and Engineering Directorate, and Dr. Barclay Butler, Assistant Director for Management, DHA, talks with Army Lt. Col. Samantha Rodgers, Ophthalmology chief (left), during a tour and designation ceremony April 19 at the Ocular Trauma Center – San Antonio Region, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The designation ceremony marked the launch of DHA’s first Ocular Trauma Center, comprised of personnel from Brooke Army Medical Center and the 59th Medical Group. (Photo: Larine H. Barr, DOD)

The Defense Health Agency launched the first of four Ocular Trauma Centers, which will become primary hubs for the treatment of complex eye injuries and development of cutting-edge research programs.

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Vision and Hearing Primary Graphic

Infographic
4/25/2022

Hearing and vision are vital components of force readiness and quality of life. Regular hearing and vision checkups can ensure you are #SightandSoundReady. https://www.dvidshub.net/video/796691/stay-sight-and-sound-ready

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Vision and Hearing Connect Graphic 5

Infographic
4/25/2022

Vision and hearing are critical components of everyday life. Guard your senses to prevent hearing and vision injuries. Learn more: https://vce.health.mil; https://hearing.health.mil, and follow HCE on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/DODHCE #SightandSoundReady

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Infographic
4/25/2022

To be #SightandSoundReady, schedule regular exams to maintain vision and hearing health. Your readiness and well-being depend on it. https://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Total-Force-Fitness/Preventive-Health/Vision-and-Hearing-Loss-Prevention

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Vision and Hearing Connect Graphic 4

Infographic
4/25/2022

What protective equipment is right for you? The Authorized Protective Eyewear List and Hearing Protection Device Evaluated Products List help service members select proper gear. APEL: https://www.peosoldier.army.mil/Equipment/Approved-Eyewear-QPL/ HPD EPL: https://hearing.health.mil/Prevention/Evaluated-Hearing-Protection-Devices

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Last Updated: May 18, 2021
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