Fascinating overview of your profession and the benefits provided, Kyle! You are a classic case of jack of many trades and master of all of them! 👏
The danger of noise-induced hearing loss is under-appreciated by musicians, factory workers and many children/young adults. When I can hear music from a kid’s earbuds 50 feet away, I can only imagine how high the db level must be. Max volume limits should be built into such devices but we mustn’t “make” people do what’s good for them ‘cause … freedom!
Those bumblebees weren’t a terrible form of hearing protection. They just weren’t what they were marketed as, they weren’t a one size fits all, they also required a lot of education on how to use because they weren’t intuitive. I’ve got some funny stories behind that one.
My uncles are all combat vets and every one of them suffered from tinnitus. They were always sticklers about hearing protection for me whenever around weapons or engines. Combat and to a lesser extent hunting can be tricky since you want to be able to hear but other than that (and there is good tech for those situations) wear ear plugs around loud noises.
Kyle, great to read about your "day job" and the ongoing implications of sound related to military operations. While none of the findings - of course shooting a firearm or the resulting sound of a grenade - are loud, I cannot help but think back to an era when service men/women used no protection at all. Injuries resulting. So, I am curious, what is the "social" conversation within the military about hearing loss, how to combat/delay/offset, related to acknowledging its existence. Is there a place for that conversation within the enlisted or more of a denial? Does anyone say: hey dude, you are talking too loud?
I tend to approach the conversation from a performance related issue more than a safety issue. You tell enlisted service members to wear protection to keep them safe, it’s almost comical when you think of what they are being asked to do for their job. When you help them understand how it’ll help sustain or improve their performance over time, you tend to get more interest. It is then essential you help them understand the options of protection that are appropriate and aid in performance rather than detract from it (like telling someone to wear standard foam earplugs which decrease awareness to all sounds in a combat environment)
Nailed it. Also, I can help you become more lethal now with advanced solutions you may not be aware of. Protection of all kind should be tailored to the individual/unit rather than a one size fits all which many often try to do.
Excellent. There’s also the issue of how it impacts individuals after they’ve left the military. Besides the obvious need for hearing in daily life, there’s a link between hearing loss and mental acuity as we age. Sadly, I can relate to this as I’ve experienced damage in the military that haunts me as I age. Therefore, I believe as a nation, we have a responsibility to do everything we can to encourage active-duty military personnel to preserve their hearing, not just for combat effectiveness, but also for their well-being after they’ve retired and can better enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Fascinating overview of your profession and the benefits provided, Kyle! You are a classic case of jack of many trades and master of all of them! 👏
The danger of noise-induced hearing loss is under-appreciated by musicians, factory workers and many children/young adults. When I can hear music from a kid’s earbuds 50 feet away, I can only imagine how high the db level must be. Max volume limits should be built into such devices but we mustn’t “make” people do what’s good for them ‘cause … freedom!
Wear and tear is real in many realms!
Then you've got the 3M Earplugs fiasco that I was involved with. Makes sense, just wish we had better ways to protect.
Those bumblebees weren’t a terrible form of hearing protection. They just weren’t what they were marketed as, they weren’t a one size fits all, they also required a lot of education on how to use because they weren’t intuitive. I’ve got some funny stories behind that one.
Deep dive into occupational resiliency! Interesting read Kyle!
Thank you brother. Many interesting overlaps in the day job and the passions I have outside of it.
My uncles are all combat vets and every one of them suffered from tinnitus. They were always sticklers about hearing protection for me whenever around weapons or engines. Combat and to a lesser extent hunting can be tricky since you want to be able to hear but other than that (and there is good tech for those situations) wear ear plugs around loud noises.
Kyle, great to read about your "day job" and the ongoing implications of sound related to military operations. While none of the findings - of course shooting a firearm or the resulting sound of a grenade - are loud, I cannot help but think back to an era when service men/women used no protection at all. Injuries resulting. So, I am curious, what is the "social" conversation within the military about hearing loss, how to combat/delay/offset, related to acknowledging its existence. Is there a place for that conversation within the enlisted or more of a denial? Does anyone say: hey dude, you are talking too loud?
I tend to approach the conversation from a performance related issue more than a safety issue. You tell enlisted service members to wear protection to keep them safe, it’s almost comical when you think of what they are being asked to do for their job. When you help them understand how it’ll help sustain or improve their performance over time, you tend to get more interest. It is then essential you help them understand the options of protection that are appropriate and aid in performance rather than detract from it (like telling someone to wear standard foam earplugs which decrease awareness to all sounds in a combat environment)
Good message discipline for intended audience! 👏
Smart. Do you want to be dangerous decades from now? If you want to stay lethal, there are steps you need to take now.
Nailed it. Also, I can help you become more lethal now with advanced solutions you may not be aware of. Protection of all kind should be tailored to the individual/unit rather than a one size fits all which many often try to do.
A form of well-intended, for your best interest, make you feel good, manipulation ...
Excellent. There’s also the issue of how it impacts individuals after they’ve left the military. Besides the obvious need for hearing in daily life, there’s a link between hearing loss and mental acuity as we age. Sadly, I can relate to this as I’ve experienced damage in the military that haunts me as I age. Therefore, I believe as a nation, we have a responsibility to do everything we can to encourage active-duty military personnel to preserve their hearing, not just for combat effectiveness, but also for their well-being after they’ve retired and can better enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Completely agree. I add that part in after I discuss performance opportunities present today.
I can feel my Tinnitus is acting up as I read this :) Glad to have this info now so I can pass it on to the next generation.