Excessive noise levels in the service module on the International Space Station have a negative effect on the hearing of astronauts, Russian doctors said Tuesday in a report. The 12th ISS crew, Russia's Valery Tokarev and William McArthur of the U.S., rounded off their mission, which began in October 2005, and returned to Earth on April 9.
After a thorough medical examination of astronauts, leading experts from the Institute of Medical and Biological Research concluded that their hearing had deteriorated.
"Audiometric tests revealed negative changes in the astronauts' hearing," the report said.
The experts also said that astronauts have not been allocated enough time for medical monitoring during flights, which lead to increased fatigue levels.
But the report said the negative effects had not prevented the astronauts from accomplishing their objectives and health safety measures in place on the station were effective overall.
