A Study of Analysis for Noise Environment and Hearing Loss of Army Aviation Pilots

Abstract

Purpose: The hearing condition of pilots and the level of noise of helicopter were of interest. This study aimed to analyze the noise environment and hearing loss of the pilots of Korean army aviation.Methods: A total of 242 pilots who did not have any middle ear problems or other ear diseases were selected: 34, 69, 70, and 69 from the age group 20, 30, 40, and 50, respectively. The physical examination records of hearing test from 2015 to 2019 were analyzed. The noise environment was measured at the two indoor positions of pilot and crew and one outside position which was 1 m away from the 8 helicopters owned by Korean army aviation: 500MD, UH-1H, UH-60, KUH-1, AH-1S, BO-105, CH-47, AH-64.Results: The thresholds of pilots were statistically different in term of frequency, age, and flight time (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The range of measured noise level of helicopters at the position of pilot, crew, and outside were 88.6 (AH-1S)-104.1 dB A (CH-47), 93.9 (UH-1H)-108.6 dB A (CH-47), 105 (500MD, AH-1S)-109 dB A (AH-64). When compared hearing thresholds of the pilots to normal groups according to age groups, they were higher at 6 kHz and lower at 0.5 kHz for all age groups.Conclusion: The hearing thresholds of Korean army aviation pilots increased as age and flight time were increased while showing the typical noise-induced hearing loss with high frequency involvement. We suggest that hearing protection education should be provided and the appropriate hearing conservation program should be established for pilot hearing health care in the future.