MCO 6260.3A — Marine Corps Hearing Conservation Program

MCO 6260.3A governs the Marine Corps Hearing Conservation Program and requirements for preserving hearing readiness and preventing hearing loss.

Search MCO 6260.3A

  • Publication number: MCO 6260.3A
  • Title: MARINE CORPS HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM
  • Date: 26 Sep 2016
  • Proponent: 06000 Medicine & Dentistry
  • Status: Current

View MCO 6260.3A on armypubs.army.mil


The publication covers noise assessment, hazardous noise labeling, engineering controls, hearing protection, training, audiograms, reporting systems, and program evaluations. It requires annual hearing preservation training and hearing tests, command self-assessments, and tracking of hearing readiness.

Applies to: This Order provides policy to preserve the hearing readiness of Marines, assigned Sailors and hazardous noise-exposed civilian personnel.

Topics covered

  • Noise exposure assessments
  • Hazardous noise area labeling
  • Engineering controls and noise abatement
  • Hearing protective devices
  • Audiograms and medical evaluation
  • Hearing readiness metrics
  • HCP self-assessments
  • Hearing readiness reporting

Questions and answers

Who must be enrolled in the Marine Corps Hearing Conservation Program?

The following personnel will be enrolled in the HCP: (1) All active duty and reserve Marines. (2) All active duty and reserve Sailors assigned with or supporting USMC forces. (3) All civilian personnel occupationally exposed to hazardous noise. (paragraph 4)

How often must Marine Corps commands conduct an HCP self-assessment?

All Marine Corps commands will conduct an annual self-assessment of their HCP using Appendix D. (paragraph 4)

What is the primary method for reducing hazardous noise exposure?

Engineering controls will be the primary means of eliminating or reducing personnel exposure to hazardous SPLs. (paragraph 6)

What hearing readiness benchmarks must commanders and OICs ensure?

COs and OICs will ensure a hearing readiness status at these benchmarks: (1) 100 percent of Marines, Sailors and at-risk civilian personnel have reference (baseline) audiograms. (2) 85 percent of annual or periodic audiograms are performed within one month of previous annual or periodic audiogram. (3) 100 percent of active duty personnel leaving the service and civilian personnel no longer exposed to hazardous noise receive termination audiograms. (paragraph 6)

What system must document hearing readiness?

MRRS or equivalent DITPR-DON approved system such as ESAMS, WESS or other appropriate tracking tools must be used to document hearing readiness.

Ask Reggie.Bot a question about MCO 6260.3A