Ivor Callely
Ceist:148 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Defence the procedures in place for the protection of hearing for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9471/99]
Written Answers. - Hearing Impairment Claims.
The hearing of members of the Defence Forces is cared for by a comprehensive range of measures designed to ensure the highest possible standard of hearing protection. These measures include education, protection, procedure and supervision. The hearing conservation regime in the Defence Forces meets all of the Health and Safety Authority guidelines and accords fully with best international standards. Personnel in the Defence Forces are trained in the proper care of hearing. This training is provided prior to annual range practices and includes written instruction, video demonstration, practical examination and certification of proper fitting of hearing protection.
The procedures in place for the protection of hearing for personnel of the Defence Forces include the provision of ear plugs and passive ear muffs to be worn during annual range practices and on other occasions when exposure to gunfire is likely. Personnel who may be exposed to gunfire for extended periods, such as weapons instructors, are provided with active ear muffs. Ear plugs of an approved standard for musicians are provided for members of military bands. Personnel employed in noisy environments such as workshops and aircraft runways, etc, are required to wear appropriate hearing protection.
Members of the Defence Forces are required to have an audiogram on enlistment and within one year of enlistment. Thereafter, audiograms are required annually, or at intervals of three years, in conformity with the Health and Safety Authority guidelines on hearing checks and audiometry. On the basis of this audiometry, and the subsequent audiometry of an ENT specialist when indicated, each member of the Defence Forces is given a keenness of hearing grade as prescribed in Defence Force regulations. Utilizing this keeness of hearing grade, the Defence Forces care of hearing policy is applied to each individual so that noise exposure is progressively limited in personnel with hearing loss, and double ear defenders are required to be worn at all weapons firing exercises by personnel whose hearing is graded lower than grade 1. Procedures for the implementation of care of hearing during field training are prescribed in the relevant training circular.
I am assured by the military authorities that the procedures laid down for the conservation of hearing are enforced rigorously throughout the Defence Forces.