EMS Providers and Hearing Loss

Do you wear hearing protection when running the sirens?

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VentMedic

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It seem lights and sirens are an unavoidable topic.

How many are given or have their own safety equipment to protect your hearing when using the sirens?

How many have noticed a change in their hearing since they have been working the ambulances?

How many have gotten their hearing checked professionally?
 
VentMedic said:
How many have gotten their hearing checked professionally?
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The last time I got a professional hearing test was when I was in elementary school and they tested everyone.

I'm sure my hearing is worse now than it was back then, but I attribute it more to loud music and ear bud headphones more than anything. I have terrible hearing.
 
Repeat that?








The last time I had a hearing test was when I went to boot camp... had perfect hearing back then. I actually lost all hearing in my left ear while there, but got it back when I got home. I'm sure it's a slight bit worse now, but then again I havent even done the amount of codes as most of you.

But I watch COPs alot... does that count?
 
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Haven't noticed much change in my hearing, seems to be pretty good.
 
It is hard to estimate loss of hearing within EMS unless one has it checked periodically. I know I had lost quite a bit when the sirens used to be mounted on the roof top instead of the grill level. As well, I lost more when I was in HEMS as many times the jet roar was extremely loud even with headset or helmet.

R/r 911
 
No.

Good point about the sirens on the grill. Our ambulances are well insulated against the sound. Sometimes I hear units going L&S come across and I can barely tell what they're saying due to the S volume. Listening to our units, the sound is closer in volume to that of a someone playing their car speakers at a low level. I have a quiet voice and the sirens are quiet enough inside that I never have to raise it at all.
 
I'm not sure if my hearing was damaged by motorcycles, open top Jeeps, working as a DJ, shooting, or EMS... either way I have slight hearing loss that is only going to get worse if I don't wear protection, so I now wear ear plugs for all of the activities listed above
 
I can say with certainty that I have had slight hearing loss in the past three years, because we get it checked every year at our annual physical. For the prior seven years, I have no idea, but would guess that there has been some along the way.

I find it ironic that our firetrucks have headsets in them but our ambulances do not. Maybe I can use the loss of hearing as a push to get that changed. I'll have to talk to the other civilians and see if any of them have had any hearing loss as well....
 
VentMedic said:
It seem lights and sirens are an unavoidable topic.

How many are given or have their own safety equipment to protect your hearing when using the sirens?

Not provided, nor do I carry. Would also feel VERY uncomfortable if my partner was wearing hearing protection while driving. There are good quality ear protection that filters out higher decibels without greatly diminishing ambient sound... but it is still about as safe as walking on a railroad track while blasting heavy metal on your headphones.

How many have noticed a change in their hearing since they have been working the ambulances?

Perhaps.

How many have gotten their hearing checked professionally?

Yep. Few times, but that's because of a "white noise" that's been annoyingly persistent (but thank god intermittent) since a teenager.
Click to expand...

Best medicine/prevention... LAY OFF the damn sirens (and quite speeding while you're at it).
 
I have thought about hearing plugs.
 
Didn't used to. Now I don't ride.

I have constant tinnitus in two frequencies and also pulsitile tinnitus; the causes fdor sione of this are garage bands (1960's), getting too close to an E-4 at full idle one day, and I'm sure sirens. No hearing protection. In fact, the aircraft incident had me with my handheld at full volume clapped to one ear, the unit's radio up loud, and the windows rolled up with the AC about 250 ft away and nearly facing us.
 
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I make an effort to keep the windows up in the cab when using sirens.
 
Just bumping this thread to see if there is a update. I'm not working yet, but hopefully will be come summer time. I was giving this some thought and wondering if anyone has worn any electronic hearing protection? I have a nice pair that I use for shooting and am considering using them if they are practical. I've been around some loud things and had my ears ring and don't want that to happen again.. I want to take care of my senses. I've read that sirens can be from 110 decibels and up.

I'm not going to wear them if they interfere with patient care and obviously would remove them when auscultating.

It seems a little impractical and maybe some people would look at me strange with me showing up with ear pro... on the other hand, I want to take care of my hearing and know that electronic hearing protection is better and quicker than just plugging them up.
 
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