The Reduction of Gunshot Noise and Auditory Risk Through the Use of Firearm Suppressors and Low-Velocity Ammunition

Details

• Personal Author:
  Campbell AR ; Finan, Donald S. ; Flamme, Gregory A. ; Lankford, James E. ; Meinke, Deanna K. ; Murphy, William J. ; Stewart M ; Tasko SM ; Zechmann EL
• Description:
  Objective: This research assessed the reduction of peak levels, equivalent energy and sound power of firearm suppressors. Design: The first study evaluated the effect of three suppressors at four microphone positions around four firearms. The second study assessed the suppressor-related reduction of sound power with a 3 m hemispherical microphone array for two firearms. Results: The suppressors reduced exposures at the ear between 17 and 24 dB peak sound pressure level and reduced the 8 h equivalent A-weighted energy between 9 and 21 dB depending upon the firearm and ammunition. Noise reductions observed for the instructor's position about a metre behind the shooter were between 20 and 28 dB peak sound pressure level and between 11 and 26 dB LAeq,8h. Firearm suppressors reduced the measured sound power levels between 2 and 23 dB. Sound power reductions were greater for the low-velocity ammunition than for the same firearms fired with high-velocity ammunition due to the effect of N-waves produced by a supersonic bullet. Conclusions: Firearm suppressors may reduce noise exposure, and the cumulative exposures of suppressed firearms can still present a significant hearing risk. Therefore, firearm users should always wear hearing protection whenever target shooting or hunting. [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:
  Ear Protectors Equipment Reliability Equipment Testing Firearms Hearing Conservation Hearing Loss Prevention Hearing Protection Impulse Noise Noise Absorption Noise Control Noise Induced Hearing Loss Noise Levels Noise Measurement Noise Shielding Noise Waves Performance Capability Performance Tests Risk Factors Sound

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• ISSN:
  1499-2027
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Colorado ; Illinois ; Michigan ; Ohio ; Oregon ; OSHA Region 10 ; 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
• Volume:
  57
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20050862
• Citation:
  Int J Audiol 2018 Jan; 57(Suppl 1):S28-S41
• Contact Point Address:
  William J. Murphy, Hearing Loss Prevention Team, Engineering and Physical Hazards Branch, Division of Applied Research and Technology, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1090 Tusculum Ave. Mailstop C-27, Cincinnati, OH, USA
• Email:
  wjm4@cdc.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2018
• NORA Priority Area:
  Manufacturing ; Public Safety
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  International Journal of Audiology
• Supplement:
  1
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:64dabb02e7dc767508fada7475bedf181b1ed9cda95d9ea790d4a1f497a64d361dd6404164b1e43d16dfc97e32ca0cbe3974591f0d951e0f97c0e3b1faca3bc6
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/211059/cdc_211059_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 2.23 MB ]