High Decibels as Causing Deconcentration and Hearing Damage in Pilots, Crew Members and Passengers Passengers: Experimental Study in the Brazilian Air Force

Abstract

Hearing is one of the main senses for aeronautical activities and plays a key role in the intelligibility of communications between pilots. Noise is a factor that impairs good hearing and can lead to various health problems, as well as impairing the performance of aviation cadets when they perform multiple tasks during flight. It is important to educate airmen about how noise can negatively affect instructional flights and the conditions that expose them to too much of a drop in concentration during flights. The sound pressure levels to which cadet airmen are exposed during their training is an aggravating factor for their communication and safety. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between noise and loss of concentration during instruction in the Neiva T-25 aircraft, with the aim of collecting and analyzing data in order to improve air mission instruction in terms of health and flight safety by highlighting the harmful nature of noise in the Second Air Instruction Squadron (2º EIA). A questionnaire with eight questions about the influence of noise on the performance of aerial mission practices was administered to a sample of 20 Cadet Aviators from the Second Squadron who were taking part in the aerial instruction course in the Neiva T-25. The results of the questionnaires showed the importance of raising awareness about the harmful effects of noise in military activity, as it is a matter of flight safety.