Fort Jackson, SC: Army tests drug to cut hearing loss.
Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 6:20 pm
http://www.pharmacist.com/army-tests-he ... ifle-range
The above link is just a short summary of the long article which appeared in the
Wall Street Journal's August 22-23, 2015 weekend edition. It was written by
Amy Dockser Marcus. Unfortunately, I couldn't link to the whole article on WSJ.com
since I'm not a subscriber, so I will summarize the article.
The military is a very loud place to be, due to loud motor vehicles, aircraft, small arms
fire, and artillery, to name just some. The VA processes a large number of claims for
hearing impairment.
Kathleen C.M. Campbell is an audiologist and professor at the Southern Illinois University
School of Medicine. She is conducting a trial of a drug called N-acetylcysteine. She is to
enlist as many as 600 soldiers by the time the trial is completed. Consuming this drug
is thought to preserve the hearing of anyone who takes it.
The theory is that prolonged noise causes the body to produce large numbers of free radicals
that can harm tissues such as the hair cells of the inner ear.
While training, it is not uncommon for soldiers to fire 500 rounds from their M16's.
Now consider that drill sergeants have to be around for extended months while they train
their boots to shoot. That's a lot of exposure to noise.
110 decibels = someone shouting directly into your ear.
130 decibels = A jackhammer. Or a jet plane that is only 33 yards away from you.
150 decibels = Firecrackers and firearms.
Although the military does offer some ear protection, some people don't use it in order
to hear their instructions, or to better hear potential threats while on patrol.
SIA
The above link is just a short summary of the long article which appeared in the
Wall Street Journal's August 22-23, 2015 weekend edition. It was written by
Amy Dockser Marcus. Unfortunately, I couldn't link to the whole article on WSJ.com
since I'm not a subscriber, so I will summarize the article.
The military is a very loud place to be, due to loud motor vehicles, aircraft, small arms
fire, and artillery, to name just some. The VA processes a large number of claims for
hearing impairment.
Kathleen C.M. Campbell is an audiologist and professor at the Southern Illinois University
School of Medicine. She is conducting a trial of a drug called N-acetylcysteine. She is to
enlist as many as 600 soldiers by the time the trial is completed. Consuming this drug
is thought to preserve the hearing of anyone who takes it.
The theory is that prolonged noise causes the body to produce large numbers of free radicals
that can harm tissues such as the hair cells of the inner ear.
While training, it is not uncommon for soldiers to fire 500 rounds from their M16's.
Now consider that drill sergeants have to be around for extended months while they train
their boots to shoot. That's a lot of exposure to noise.
110 decibels = someone shouting directly into your ear.
130 decibels = A jackhammer. Or a jet plane that is only 33 yards away from you.
150 decibels = Firecrackers and firearms.
Although the military does offer some ear protection, some people don't use it in order
to hear their instructions, or to better hear potential threats while on patrol.
SIA
Huh? Didn't catch that...