PROFILE OF RISK FACTORS FOR ACOUSTIC TRAUMA IN 105 HOWITZER CANNON SHOOTER STUDENTS AT THE PUSAT PENDIDIKAN ARTILERI MEDAN-CIMAHI

Abstract

Acoustic Trauma is hearing loss caused by short period high frequency noise. Hearing loss can occur in military, because it uses the main tools of the weaponry system, such as guns, military vehicles, and explosions. This research aims to determine the description of risk factors for acoustic trauma, patterns of hearing protector use, and ear complaints among students of Pusdik Armed who perform 105 Howitzer Cannon shooting practice. This study used a descriptive method with a cross sectional design on the students of Pusdik Armed who perform 105 Howitzer Cannon shooting practice. The sampling technique used total sampling with 103 population. The research instrument was secondary data from the public dedication questionnaire of Dr Asti Kristianti, Sp.THT-BKL, M.Kes. The results showed a description of the risk factors for acoustic trauma in Pusdik Armed Students who perform Howitzer 105 Cannon shooting practice mostly due to high noise exposure (64.1%), smoking history (60.2%), using PLDs (59.2%), a minority do not wear hearing protectors (12.6%), and the use of ototoxic drugs (1.9%), and no one has hypertension and a family history of hearing loss. The pattern of using hearing protectors during 105 Howitzer Cannon shooting practice is from students who use ear protectors (87.4%), some use ear protectors during training (72.8%). The description of ear complaints before doing Howitzer 105 Cannon shooting practice mostly did not experience ear complaints either before (82.5%) or after (76.6%). Therefore, it is necessary to require the use of ear protective equipment for cannon shooters.