Noise Exposure aboard Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carriers

United States nuclear-powered aircraft carriers have a highly structured schedule that involves recurring periods of training, deployment, and maintenance. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a significant problem among Sailors aboard these carriers due to the nature of ongoing shipboard operations and extended periods of noise exposure. This study aims to characterize Sailors’ occupational noise exposure during the carrier’s training and maintenance periods. Significant overexposures were recorded throughout this study. Flight operations contributed significantly to noise dose during the training and readiness phase. Rehabilitation work involving the use of needle-guns was a significant contributor to the excessive noise doses during maintenance phase. The Navy should use the results of this study to better understand and control Sailors’ occupational noise exposure