Risk Factors for Hearing Loss as a Result of Exposure to Noise During Military Training in the IDF

Overview

As part of the proposed work, the investigators would like to examine whether there is a need to use a training video to train IDF combat soldiers to improve the use of ear plugs and to prevent hearing loss from exposure to noise, and to characterize the hearing impaired epidemiology of recruits and the basic rate of hearing loss During basic training.

Full Title of Study: “Assessment of Risk Factors for Hearing Loss as a Result of Exposure to Noise During Military Training in the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), and Examination of the Effectiveness of Hearing Protection Video vs Formal Training.”

Study Type

  • Study Type: Interventional
  • Study Design
    • Allocation: Randomized
    • Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
    • Primary Purpose: Prevention
    • Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
  • Study Primary Completion Date: April 1, 2018

Detailed Description

1. Auditory screening examination using an OAE (Oto Acoustic Emission) device during the first week of training in the unit and before starting to be exposed to noise . 2. If the indication obtained by the OAE device is negative, the soldier will be transferred to perform an audiometer test by a medic. 3. If the audiometer is subjected to a significant drop (over 25 decibels), the soldier will be referred to an audiologic examination that includes a comprehensive hearing test and an examination by the ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat). 4. All participants will be randomly assigned to two groups after signing an agreement form: A – The video group – will be guided by a screening of a 7 minute video that explains the importance of using ear plugs and correct installation. B- The control group, will be instructed to use earplugs properly, including practical exercises by a medic. 5. After two months of training, all participants will undergo further instruction in the use of earplugs, the video clip group and the control group trained by a medic only, 6. Towards the end of the training After six months of the recruitment, the investigators will perform an additional hearing test for all the participants in order to compare the results to the examination performed near their recruitment. Similar to the first stage, the test will be performed using an OAE device. 7. A comparison shall be made in the auditory results data between the group that underwent training via video and the control group.

Interventions

  • Other: Guidance on auditory protection
    • by video or medic

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

  • Experimental: video group
    • guided by a 7-minute video that explains the importance of using ear plugs and correct installation.
  • No Intervention: control group
    • instructed to use earplugs properly, including practical exercises by a medic

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Comparative impact of military training (infantry, armor and artillery) on hearing loss after full training
    • Time Frame: 12 months
    • The study will measure hearing loss using an Oto Acoustic Emission (OAE) measuring device and an Audiometer test. The results after complete training will be compared against the results obtained prior to training

Secondary Measures

  • Percentage of soldiers in combat units which suffer from hearing loss before starting military training
    • Time Frame: 12 months
  • Percentage of soldiers in combat units which suffer from hearing loss after completing military training classified to the two groups in the study
    • Time Frame: 12 months
    • The study will investigate the effectiveness of a demonstration video as an audio protection tutorial to prevent hearing loss from exposure to noise in trained fighters. This will be measured against a control group which undergo frontal demonstration by a medic.

Participating in This Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria

  • Soldiers who joined the IDF from August 2018 Exclusion Criteria:

  • Lack of informed consent. – recruits who have auditory impairment that is disqualified from fighting

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: 18 Years

Maximum Age: N/A

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • Medical Corps, Israel Defense Force
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Principal Investigator: Sharon Ohayon, Principal Investigator – Medical Corps, Israel Defense Force
  • Overall Official(s)
    • Sharon Ohayon, MD, Principal Investigator, International Diabetes Federation
  • Overall Contact(s)
    • Sharon Ohayon Cohen, MD, +972-50-4404081, 2sharonoh@gmail.com

References

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Rabinowitz PM, Slade MD, Galusha D, Dixon-Ernst C, Cullen MR. Trends in the prevalence of hearing loss among young adults entering an industrial workforce 1985 to 2004. Ear Hear. 2006 Aug;27(4):369-75. doi: 10.1097/01.aud.0000224125.12338.9a.

Muhr P, Mansson B, Hellstrom PA. A study of hearing changes among military conscripts in the Swedish Army. Int J Audiol. 2006 Apr;45(4):247-51. doi: 10.1080/14992020500190052.

Toh ST, Lu P, Ong M, Seet B. Prevalence of hearing disorders in Singapore military conscripts: a role for routine audiometry screening? Singapore Med J. 2002 Dec;43(12):622-7.

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Gold S, Attias J, Cahani M, Shahar A. [Hearing loss as a result of basic military training]. Harefuah. 1989 Apr 2;116(7):377-9. Hebrew.

Ylikoski J. Acute acoustic trauma in Finnish conscripts. Etiological factors and characteristics of hearing impairment. Scand Audiol. 1989;18(3):161-5. doi: 10.3109/01050398909070741.

Murphy WJ, Themann CL, Murata TK. Hearing protector fit testing with off-shore oil-rig inspectors in Louisiana and Texas. Int J Audiol. 2016 Nov;55(11):688-98. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2016.1204470. Epub 2016 Jul 14.

Cassano F, Aloise I, Labianca G, Gaccione V, Mazzotta C, Cardascia F, Garavaglia M, Scarselletta RS, Di Lorenzo L. [Measurement of real personal noise attenuation using earplugs with the E-A-Rfit system]. Med Lav. 2013 May-Jun;104(3):213-23. Italian.

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