A COMPARISON OF MEDIAN HEARING THRESHOLDS FROM UNITED-STATES-NAVY AND UNITED-STATES-ARMY AUDIOMETRIC DATA-BASES

This study examined 1984 monitoring audiometric data from U.S. Navy (military and civilian) employees whose workplace required a mandatory hearing conservation program. Median hearing thresholds were compared in U.S. Navy employees, U.S. Army employees also monitored by a hearing conservation program, and a standard population from the First National Health and Nutrition Survey. Age group and frequency-specific comparisons were included. Results at 4 kHz and 6 kHz demonstrated higher median thresholds in the Navy populations that were significantly higher by clinical and statistical criteria. Possible reasons for the differences are given.