Name
#37 - Innovations in Hearing Conservation using Boothless Audiometry
Date & Time
Monday, February 12, 2024, 12:00 PM
Description

The Department of Defense (DoD) Hearing Conservation Program (HCP) is one the largest occupational surveillance programs in the world, with more than 1.3 million military and civilian personnel completing annual tests to monitor hearing status and determine hearing readiness. Traditionally, the DoD system of record for conducting audiometric surveillance has been executed using multi-person sound booths equipped with automated testing software installed at over 850 sites across the DoD enterprise. While this system offers a robust capability to detect hearing loss, innovation with this platform has not been seen in over twenty-five years. Since 2020, boothless audiometers have shown utility not only in supplementing the current standard of care to maintain a hearing ready force, but also by providing a platform for state-of-the-art advancements to hearing healthcare delivery. In turn, tri-Service leaders are collaborating to standardize operating procedures, establish authorization of use, and conduct public health initiatives to expand this technology across the enterprise. We will discuss many enhancements boothless audiometry offers compared to the current standard of care, the projected return on investment (ROI), and multiple specific use-cases where this technology has been successfully implemented. Annual audiometric monitoring is essential to maintain a hearing ready force and preserve the long-term hearing health of our Service men and women. Boothless audiometry brings innovation to the DoD and should be permanently included in Hearing Conservation across the Services.

Location Name
Prince Georges Exhibit Hall A/B
Content Presented on Behalf of
DHA
Learning Outcomes
1.Describe current procedures for audiometric surveillance in the DoD.
2.Identify three enhancements boothless audiometry offers compared to the current standard of care.
3.Explain how innovations from boothless audiometry provide a return on investment.
Session Type
Posters
Dropdown Content Presented On Behalf Of:
DHA