Hearing related issues continue to increase annually across the Department of Defense, yet one Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune audiologist is making great strides to improve hearing conservation. Lt. Kyle Shepard was recently named the Military Audiologist Association's, 2016 Elizabeth Guild Award recipient for his efforts across Camp Lejeune.

In addition to this prestigious joint award, Shepard was also recognized as the Navy Audiologist of the Year for 2015.

These awards recognize Shepard as not only the best of the best in the Navy, but also the best across the Navy, Air Force and Army, said Lt. Cmdr. Gary Rosonet, the Hearing Conversation Department head, who nominated the awardee.

Since the introduction of the jet engine and the tremendous number of World War II veterans returning from combat with hearing loss, hearing conservation has been a concern that continues to plague the armed forces. Tinnitus and hearing loss service connected disabilities have increased annually, according to a United States Government Accountability Office congressional report in 2011.

It is this concern that spurred the Marine Corps to tighten regulations for hearing conservation. One significant change that came with the revisions of Marine Corps Order 6260.3 in March of 2015, is the requirement for 100 percent of Marines, Sailors and at-risk civilian personnel to a have baseline audiogram, and at least 95 percent of monitoring audiograms performed within one month of birth month.

When the order was released, Camp Lejeune was at 68 percent. The base is now close to 90 percent complete. Rosonet attributes this success to Shepard's tenacious ability to network, desire to educate leaders and continuous effort in looking for alternative hearing protection options.

Shortly after checking into the hospital, Shepard created a working relationship with the Marine Corps System Command, who provides training to all of II Marine Expeditionary Force Marines on proper personal protective equipment use.

"These partnerships led to the training of approximately 1000 Marines and Sailors in its first month," said Rosonet.

Since then Shepard and his team have conducted 55, 000 audiograms and over 100,000 patient encounters this year.

"It is not my success," explained Shepard, a 2009 Ohio State graduate. "It is our team's success. You hear about doing more with less, and that's what we do."

Although modest, Shepard tirelessly worked to purchase a new eight-man audiometric testing booth which doubled patient capacity, said Rosonet. He purchased the self-install booth for much less than was expected and had it set up within two days, which prevented lapse in patient care.

"We have two main goals - increase readiness, but more importantly decrease hearing loss," said Shepard. He does this through the education of users and leaders and research to find better, more effective equipment.

A lot of times, the Marine or Sailor is not wearing hearing protection correctly, or their hearing protection is not rated for the amount of noise that they are around, said Shepard. That is why individuals are required to bring their hearing protection with them to their annual hearing test.

The 2011 report explained that, service members told evaluators, "they do not always wear hearing protection, citing concerns with comfort and communication."

These apprehensions inspired Shepard to research and ensure the procurement of 4th generation single-sided combat arms earplugs to supplant the 1st gen double sided earplugs currently being issued at Camp Lejeune, said Rosonet.

"Shepard is working with MARCOPRSYSCOM in acquiring updated hearing protection that will be issued to all Marines and Sailors in II MEF preparing for deployment," he said.

Another big change that came with the updated Marine Corps Order was the requirement for double hearing protection,

"The military reports M-4 Carbine (5.56 mm) produced peak sound pressure levels, as high as 165. Peak noise levels of 160 dBP and above are known to cause immediate physical trauma," said Shepard. "This knowledge leads to the requirement for double hearing protection use while on firing ranges; a philosophy of preventing hearing loss during training so personnel do not go into combat hearing impaired."

In addition to ensuring monthly audio grams and classes, Shepard was instrumental in coordinating and hosting two exercises in communication and hearing operations designed to educate infantry and medical leaders on, and expose them to tactical communication and protective gear; demonstrating their benefit to the warfighter, said Rosonet.

During the operations, leaders were able to explore the different opportunities available for hearing conservation. There is a need to balance the ability to hear conversational tones, while blocking out harmful noise, said Shepard. Who added, that there are options available.

In order to head off some of the issues Marines are seeing in the fleet, Shepard participated in a pilot study at Marine Corps Recruiting Depot, Parris Island, to determine which fit-test protocol will most effectively verify hearing protection fit in new recruits.

Previously, education generally consisted of instructors telling new recruits to simply use hearing protection in their ears, but not explaining its importance or the proper technique to insert such equipment, according to the 2011 report.

Now, "Pre-formed sized earplugs shall be fit and issued only under the supervision of personnel specifically trained by a qualified audiologist," said Shepard.

This continual push for improvement is common place for the team at NHCL.

Shepard's accomplishments and our department's work are consistently recognized by the Tri-service executive leadership and Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune hearing program has been recognized as the "Tip of the Spear" in Hearing Conservation, said Rosonet. I am proud of his outstanding service to Navy hearing conservation.

For more news from Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, visit www.navy.mil/.