Exposure to high noise levels

Tinnitus - Exposure to high noise levels Factor

The SOP requirement is "being exposed to noise of at least 85 dBA as an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) with a 3-dB exchange rate…."

Essentially this means 85 dBA for a cumulative total of 8 hours a day, or exposure to greater levels of dBA for shorter periods per day. Many military occupations would meet this level of exposure. In general, if you are in an environment where you need to shout to be heard, the noise level of that environment is in a range that can damage hearing.

The loudness of a sound doubles for every 3dBA increase. Thus, a dishwasher rated at 58dBA is twice as loud as one rated at 55dBA.  Working in an environment of 85dBA for 8 hours involves the same noise exposure as working in an environment of 88dBA for 4 hours, or 91dBA for 2 hours, or 94dBA for one hour, and so on.

Generally, the use of well fitted ear plugs and muffs combined will provide a 30dBA reduction in noise level.

The table of noise exposure levels and durations based on 3-dBA exchange rate forms part of the SOP and sets out the duration needed for each level of noise.

Some specific examples of relevant dBA levels in military settings include:

• 95 dBA   Hercules Aircraft engine
• 110 dBA Helicopter at take-off and landing
• 115 dBA Engine room of a ship
• 150 dBA Artillery fire at 500 feet
• 160+ dBA Rifle, handgun or shot gun fired next to the ear
• 130 dBA Air raid with bombs going off in close proximity

Further assistance with calculating noise levels for particular types of exposures may be obtained from:

• Examples of noise sources and measured noise levels
• Physical requirements, duties, and workplace hazards of specific military occupations*

*NB.  This hotword contains an embedded table:  Military occupations with heavy noise component.  There is likely to be a high level of noise exposure – at least to the level of 85 dBA – on any given day, within the normal work environment, for all occupations listed therein.

Last reviewed for CCPS 10 June 2012.

Investigative Documents

Preliminary questions [30370]

30447 the veteran has been exposed to high noise levels as specified in the Statements of Principles without adequate ear protection at some time.

30448  the veteran has established the causal connection between the high noise exposure and VEA service for tinnitus.

30449   the veteran has established the causal connection between the high noise exposure and VEA service for the clinical onset of tinnitus.

30451  the veteran has established the causal connection between the high noise exposure and operational service for the clinical onset of tinnitus.

or

30452  the veteran has established the causal connection between the high noise exposure and eligible service for the clinical onset of tinnitus.

or

7334     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.

7335     the condition under consideration permanently worsened.

30450   the veteran has established the causal connection between the high noise exposure and VEA service for the clinical worsening of tinnitus.

30453  the veteran has established the causal connection between the high noise exposure and operational service for the clinical worsening of tinnitus.

or

30454  the veteran has established the causal connection between the high noise exposure and eligible service for the clinical worsening of tinnitus.

Clinical onset and operational service [30451]

30459 the veteran was exposed to high noise levels as specified in the Statements of Principles for tinnitus without adequate ear protection for 180 days at some time.

30455 the veteran was exposed to high noise levels as specified in the Statements of Principles for tinnitus without adequate ear protection for 180 days immediately before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

30456 operational service made a material contribution to the veteran's exposure to high noise levels as specified in the Statements of Principles for tinnitus without adequate ear protection for 180 days immediately before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

Clinical onset and eligible service [30452]

30466 the veteran was exposed to high noise levels as specified in the Statements of Principles for tinnitus without adequate ear protection for one year at some time.

30457 the veteran was exposed to high noise levels as specified in the Statements of Principles for tinnitus without adequate ear protection for one year immediately before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

30458 eligible service made a material contribution to the veteran's exposure to high noise levels as specified in the Statements of Principles for tinnitus without adequate ear protection for one year immediately before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

Clinical worsening and operational service [30453]

30459 the veteran was exposed to high noise levels as specified in the Statements of Principles for tinnitus without adequate ear protection for 180 days at some time.

30460 the veteran was exposed to high noise levels as specified in the Statements of Principles for tinnitus without adequate ear protection for 180 days immediately before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

30463 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred before the veteran's exposure to high noise levels as specified in the Statements of Principles for tinnitus without adequate ear protection for 180 days.

30461 operational service made a material contribution to the veteran's exposure to high noise levels as specified in the Statements of Principles for tinnitus without adequate ear protection for 180 days immediately before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

Clinical worsening and eligible service [30454]

30466 the veteran was exposed to high noise levels as specified in the Statements of Principles for tinnitus without adequate ear protection for one year at some time.

30464 the veteran was exposed to high noise levels as specified in the Statements of Principles for tinnitus without adequate ear protection for one year immediately before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

30467 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred before the veteran's exposure to high noise levels as specified in the Statements of Principles for tinnitus without adequate ear protection for one year.

30465 eligible service made a material contribution to the veteran's exposure to high noise levels as specified in the Statements of Principles for tinnitus without adequate ear protection for one year immediately before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.