i
Impulse noise generated by starter pistols
-
Feb 2013
Source: Int J Audiol. 52(0 1):S9-19. -
Alternative Title:Int J Audiol
-
Publisher's site:
-
Personal Author:
-
Description:Objective
This study describes signals generated by .22 and .32 caliber starter pistols in the context of noise-induced hearing loss risk for sports officials and athletes.
Design
Acoustic comparison of impulses generated from typical .22 and .32 caliber starter pistols firing blanks were made to impulses generated from comparable firearms firing both blanks and live rounds. Acoustic characteristics are described in terms of directionality and distance from the shooter in a simulated outdoor running track. Metrics include peak sound pressure levels (SPL), A-weighted equivalent 8-hour level (LeqA8), and maximum permissible number of individual shots, or maximum permissible exposures (MPE) for the unprotected ear.
Results
Starter pistols produce peak SPLs above 140 dB. The numbers of MPEs are as few as five for the .22-caliber starter pistol, and somewhat higher (≤25) for the .32-caliber pistol.
Conclusion
The impulsive sounds produced by starter pistols correspond to MPE numbers that are unacceptably small for unprotected officials and others in the immediate vicinity of the shooter. At the distances included in this study, the risk to athletes appears to be low (when referencing exposure criteria for adults), but the sound associated with the starter pistol will contribute to the athlete’s overall noise exposure.
-
Subject:
-
Source:
-
Pubmed ID:23373743
-
Pubmed Central ID:PMC4617326
-
Document Type:
-
Collection(s):
-
Main Document Checksum:
-
File Type:
-
jpeg 
gif 
jpeg 
gif 
jpeg 
txt 
gif 
jpeg 
gif 
jpeg 
gif 
jpeg 
gif
[PDF-1.05 MB]
Details:
Supporting Files
More +
Email
CDC-INFO
