2025 NHCA Annual Conference

Hearing protector fit testing (HPFT) measures the amount of attenuation a hearing protector provides while it is being worn. Recent Department of Defense (DOD) policy changes mandating HPFT for certain noise-exposed personnel assume that a significant portion of hearing damage is directly related to poorly fit hearing protectors. However, there is limited direct evidence supporting the effectiveness of HPFT in reducing service-related auditory injuries in the military. Additionally, current HPFT methods are not appropriate for all hearing protector styles.

This presentation will highlight ongoing efforts to improve hearing health and readiness in the military by implementing HPFT in various contexts within DOD Hearing Conservation Programs. It will discuss current findings investigating the relationship between personal attenuation rating (PAR) and various hearing health outcomes (e.g., hearing threshold shifts, noise exposure history, and hearing difficulties). The overarching goal is to transition knowledge from this project to assess the feasibility of a minimal acceptable PAR standard, identify key hearing protection fitting behaviors for standardized education, and underscore the importance of incorporating HPFT within DOD hearing conservation.

The views expressed in this abstract are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the Department of Defense or U.S. Government.

Learning Objectives:
1. Summarize PAR performance across performance sites and hearing health outcomes.
2. Identify obstacles in implementing HPFT as reported by clinicians.
3. Describe the relationship between PAR and significant threshold shifts.