Navy Hearing Conservation Program Exposure to high-intensity noise is usually associated with the impulse blasts of gunfire or rocket firing or the continuous or intermittent sounds made by aircraft and marine engines. But other more common work-related sources, such as grinders, saws, and similar high-speed tools and machines, also present noise problems. The goal of the Navy Hearing Conservation Program is to prevent occupational noise-related hearing loss among  Navy  personnel.  Accomplishing  the objectives of this program requires several actions: • Work environments should be surveyed to identify noise levels that are potentially hazardous to personnel. Equipment producing such noise should be modified to reduce the noise level to acceptable  levels.  Unfortunately  that  may  not always  be  economically  or  technologically feasible. When it is not feasible, administrative control and/or hearing-protective devices should be used. • Periodic hearing testing must be conducted to  monitor  the  effectiveness  of  the  program. Early detection of temporary changes in minimum hearing  levels  is  important.  That  allows  for further testing and for preventive measures to be taken before permanent hearing loss occurs. • Since education is vital to the overall success of a hearing conservation program, an understanding of the permanent nature of noise- induced hearing loss is necessary. The command’s hearing conservation program and the individual’s responsibilities  under  the  program  are  all essential for program effectiveness. Consequently, Navy  personnel  should  be  encouraged  to  use hearing-protective devices both on and off duty. Wearing of such devices should include activities such as mowing the lawn or using chain saws and firearms. Hazardous noise areas and equipment must be so designated and appropriately labeled. Areas and equipment that produce continuous and inter- mittent sound levels greater than 84 decibels (dB) or impact or impulse noise levels of 140 dB peak are considered hazardous, NAVMED 6260/2, Hazardous Noise Warning Decal, and NAVMED 6260/2A, Hazardous Noise Labels (displayed on  hand  tools),  are  the  approved  decals  and labels for marking hazardous noise areas and equipment. Hearing-protective  devices  should  be  worn when entering or working in an area where noise levels are greater than those described above. A  combination  insert-type  (ear  plug)  and circumanual-type (ear covering) hearing-protective device that provides double protection should be worn in all areas where noise levels exceed 104 dB.  In  addition,  all  personnel  should  wear hearing-protective  devices  when  exposed  to gunfire in a training situation or to artillery or missile firing under any circumstances. Personal hearing-protective devices should be issued to suit each situation. All personal hearing- protective devices must reduce effective sound levels to less than 84 dB or 140 dB peak. Where protective devices do not provide noise reduction to a level below 84 dB, administrative control of exposure time is necessary. Hearing-protective devices used by the Navy are identified in the following list. Also shown are the appropriate stock numbers and effective dB reductions. EARPLUG TYPES: Single Flange (V51R) Ear Defender Size NSN Extra Small 6515-00-442-4765 (white) Small (green) 6515-00-467-0085 Medium (Int'l 6515-00-467-0089 orange) Large (blue) 6515-00-442-4807 Extra Large (red) 6515-00-442-4813 Triple Flange (Comfit) Size NSN Small (green) 6515-00-442-4821 Regular (Int’l 6515-00-442-4818 orange) Large (blue) 6515-00-467-0092 Disposable Silaflex (Blister 6515-00-133-5416 Pack) Ear or Deci-Damp 6515-00-137-6345 Effective dB Reduction 23 dB 23 dB 23 dB 23 dB 23 dB Effective dB Reduction 26 dB 26 dB 26 dB 21 dB 29 dB 6-4