Prevention of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss from Recreational Firearms

Details

• Personal Author:
  Finan, Donald S. ; Flamme, Gregory A. ; Lankford, James E. ; Meinke, Deanna K. ; Murphy, William J. ; Stewart M ; Tasko S
• Description:
  In the United States and other parts of the world, recreational firearm shooting is a popular sport that puts the hearing of the shooter at risk. Peak sound pressure levels (SPLs) from firearms range from approximately 140 to 175 dB. The majority of recreational firearms (excluding small-caliber 0.17 and 0.22 rifles and air rifles) generate between 150 and 165 dB peak SPLs. High-intensity impulse sounds will permanently damage delicate cochlear structures, and thus individuals who shoot firearms are at a higher risk of bilateral, high-frequency, noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) than peer groups who do not shoot. In this article, we describe several factors that influence the risk of NIHL including the use of a muzzle brake, the number of shots fired, the distance between shooters, the shooting environment, the choice of ammunition, the use of a suppressor, and hearing protection fit and use. Prevention strategies that address these factors and recommendations for specialized hearing protectors designed for shooting sports are offered. Partnerships are needed between the hearing health community, shooting sport groups, and wildlife conservation organizations to develop and disseminate accurate information and promote organizational resources that support hearing loss prevention efforts. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Ear Hearing Hearing Loss Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced Noise Noise, Occupational Occupational Health Protective Clothing Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Sense Organs

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• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Impulse Noise Ear Protection Ear Protectors Exposure-levels Firearms Firing Ranges Hearing-conservation Hearing-loss Hearing Conservation Hearing Loss Prevention Hearing Protection Impulse Noise Injury Prevention Noise-exposure Noise-induced Hearing Loss Noise-levels Noise-pollution Noise-protection Noise Induced Hearing Loss Recommendations Risk-factors

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• ISSN:
  0734-0451
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Colorado ; Illinois ; Michigan ; Ohio ; OSHA Region 5 ; OSHA Region 8
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DART - Division of Applied Research and Technology
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  267-281
• Volume:
  38
• Issue:
  4
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20050525
• Citation:
  Semin Hear 2017 Nov; 38(4):267-281
• Contact Point Address:
  Deanna K. Meinke, Ph.D., University of Northern Colorado, Gunter Hall 1500, Campus Box 140, Greeley, CO 80639
• Email:
  Deanna.Meinke@unco.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2018
• NORA Priority Area:
  Manufacturing ; Public Safety
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Seminars in Hearing
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:8e985c4c145518b178b15cbb174295ccdb0bcdbd90c50bb743e46c287b138b41b446e77adda0c96f3567fa56f01a2b6a88ec91f0d223d2ee328274226eccf84f
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/210834/cdc_210834_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 248.64 KB ]