Profile of risk factors for acoustic trauma in 105 Howitzer Cannon shooter students

Abstract

Acoustic trauma is hearing loss caused by short periods of high-frequency noise. Hearing loss can occur in the 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 Pusat Pendidikan Artileri Medan (Pusdik Armed) who performed 105 Howitzer Cannon shooting practice. This study used a descriptive method with a cross-sectional design on the students of the Pusdik Armed who practised shooting with 105 Howitzer Cannons. The sampling technique used was total sampling with 103 students. The research instrument is data from questions and blood pressure checks. The results showed a description of the risk factors for acoustic trauma in Pusdik Armed Students who performed Howitzer 105 Cannon shooting practice, which were primarily due to high noise exposure, smoking history, use of PLDs, failure to wear protectors (a small percentage), and use of ototoxic drugs; no one had hypertension and a family history of hearing loss. The patterns of wearing hearing protection during the 105 howitzer cannon firing exercises were gathered from the students who carried out the practice. Additionally, some wore them throughout practice. When it came to ear complaints prior to practice, the majority of students had none before or after cannon shooting practice. Therefore, using ear protective equipment for cannon shooters is necessary.