scope:

a. The provisions of this instruction apply Navy-wide to:

(1) commands and activities, both ashore and afloat, worldwide,

(2) appropriated and nonappropriated fund civilian and military personnel ashore and afloat, and

(3) foreign nationals employed by the Department of the Navy in an overseas workplace except where Status of Forces Agreements (SOFA) standards take precedence.

b. The provisions of this instruction which describe personal hearing-protective devices, education, audiometric testing, and personnel preselection criteria do not apply to the deaf, as defined in ANSI S3-20-1973 (reference (b)). Deafness is defined in Appendix A of enclosure (1).