[Acute acoustic trauma in military personnel. Evaluation of 1 year epidemiologic surveillance]. / Traumatismes sonores aigus en population militaire. Bilan d'une année de surveillance épidémiologique.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Acute acoustic trauma (AAT) refers to damage to sensitive cochlear structures caused by excessive exposure to impulse noise. The aim of this study was to 1) assess the incidence of ATT in French soldiers and 2) to clarify the circumstances under which AAT occurs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a prospective study of AAT events reported to medical officers in 1998. RESULTS: The incidence of AAT was 156 per 100,000 person-years (150-161). It was higher in conscripts and in soldiers aged under 31 years. Fifty-seven percent were wearing hearing protectors when the accident took place. CONCLUSION: According to these results, specific preventive programs were planned and should be assessed by epidemiological surveillance of exposed populations.