Back to hearing protection, I,ve wore mine since day one from the shipyard to the Merchant navy, the problem Iv'e encountered is noisy control rooms (mainly the door leading to the Main Engine Room), may sound daft but the cause of some hearing loss was due to these, mainly due to door seals and tired doors, lads who have been on the vessel since day one don't notice it, as its a gradual increase. Last ship I joined the door was breaking down more than the seal in the end one of the lads spent a few days bending it straight and re-welding the hinges etc.
It was in a medical for the Reserves it was picked up, wasn't too bad but one ear was a lot worse than the other...... can't say much more as its ongoing regarding the ships etc, turns out on one visit from the health and safety they tested the ECR for the decibels and said all was good then they got off before the ship sailed....... I looked into this and its down to them testing the Control room when the ships in port........ (no main Engines running)
I say its down to this but some may of been caused due to having three Land Rovers in the past.