Balance August 2017

August 2017

In This Issue        

Hazardous Noise: The Not So Silent Enemy Hearing Health and How to Preserve It! Hazardous Noise: The Not So Silent Enemy Hearing Health and How to Preserve It! Cont.

Dental Flyer Health Promotion Calendar USNH Yokosuka Events Tobacco Cessation Health Promotion Services Meet the Staff

2

Hazardous Noise: The Not So Silent Enemy Hearing Health and How to Preserve It!

By: LT Shanece Washington, MSC, USN Occupational Audiology Dept. Head - USNH Yokosuka Reference: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration, Annual Benefits Report; DoD Hearing Center of Excellence

The Importance of Hearing: In operational and military training environments, hearing is one of the most important survival senses. Sound often proceeds a potential threat. Hearing is essential for training, safe performance of duties, and efficient teamwork. Additionally, hearing is crucial for creating and fostering interpersonal relationships and connections with peers, friends, and family. The ability to hear impacts quality of life.

Hearing/Auditory Injury Facts: -Noise exposure is the #1 risk factor for auditory injury faced by all service members and federal employees regardless of occupation and or specialty; -Incidence of hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ear) increases by up to 18% annually; -Auditory injury can result from a one-time exposure to intense impulse noise or from repeated exposure to ongoing noise; -Injury to the auditory system remains the #1 VA claimed disability (VBA 2015); -Over $2 billion is spent annually for auditory injury compensation costs (VBA, 2013).

To understand how the ear is damaged you need to understand how the ear works. There are four parts to the ear: - Outer Ear: comprised of the pinna and ear canal act as a funnel for sound - Middle Ear: comprised of the ear drum, middle ear bones, and the Eustachian tube , move sound further into the system - Inner Ear: comprised of sensory hair cells, detect sound and send information to the auditory (hearing) nerve - Central Auditory Nervous System: processes lower level input and assigns meaning (i.e. speech, music, birds chirping, etc.)

2

3

Hazardous Noise: The Not So Silent Enemy Hearing Health and How to Preserve It!

By: LT Shanece Washington, MSC, USN Occupational Audiology Dept. Head - USNH Yokosuka Reference: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration, Annual Benefits Report; DoD Hearing Center of Excellence

The inner ear is responsible for the ability to understand the different aspects of sound and speech. Hazardous noise exposure can cause IRREVERSABLE and PERMANENT damage to the inner ear! Work areas where the sound level, continuous or intermittent, is routinely greater than 84 dB(A) or where the peak sound pressure level (caused by impulse or impact noise), routinely exceeds 140dB are considered hazardous noise areas.

Hearing Care: Hearing loss is not an inevitable consequence of military or federal service.

Proactive, preventive and protective measures are key to managing hearing health outcomes.

-Understand noise hazards: contact your USNH Occupational Audiology Department or your Safety Department -Limit personnel exposure to hazardous noise -Assess worksite operations and implement preventive measures: contact USNH Occupational Audiology or Industrial Hygiene Department -Select appropriate protection devices to mitigate the noise hazard -Effectively use communication and protection devices -Educate personnel on causes and prevention of hearing loss

References: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration, Annual Benefits Report; DoD Hearing Center of Excellence 3

4

Did you know… 59% of adolescents 12 to 19 have had cavities in their permanent teeth? Don’t be a statistic!   

• • •

Always brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes Floss between your teeth daily Avoid sugary and starchy drinks or snacks (i.e. energy drinks!)

Wear a mouth guard when playing sports Don’t smoke!

Don’t pierce your lips or any part of your mouth

Following these tips and seeing your dentist regularly will help you have a healthy smile for life.

Contact the Dental department at 243-8808 today to schedule a yearly exam.

4

5

5

6

6

7

7

8

BUMED-approved 8-session weight management program that focuses on healthy eating, active living and healthy behavior change (mindset) that will result in body fat reduction and/or weight loss as well as maintenance.

DATES: Classes are every Wednesday beginning August 2nd-Sept 13th Time: Two times to choose from 1130-1230 or 1630-1730 Location: E-22 Conference room located across from USNH Yokosuka, on the 2nd deck.

Space is limited. Contact USHN Yokosuka Health Promotion office to register.

Heath Promotion Hours: 0800-1600 DSN: 243-9776 Commercial: 046-816-9776 Email: Ivette.moore.civ@mail.mil Mary.e.cobb10.civ@mail.mil 8

9

9

10

    10

Health Fitness Assessments Basic Nutrition Tobacco Cessation Weight Management

   

Outreaches ShipShape Crews Into Shape Health Challenges

11

11

Meet The Staff

From left to right: HM3 Cody Beeson, Mrs. Mary Cobb (Secretary), Mrs. Ivette Moore (Health Promotion Director), HN Austin Bennett