B W Hohmann | PubMed Health

PubMed1981

[Hearing damage caused by impulse noise].

Methods for judging the danger of hearing impairment caused by continuous noise are known and have been included in standards. There are no equally accepted criteria to distinguish between dangerous and harmless impulsive noise. For this reason, a mobile measuring system has been developed, that can determine and record parameters of impulsive noise in industrial environments. The parameters were chosen with respect to the properties of the human ear, and to provide an intercomparison of currently used or proposed measuring methods. In one case, the frequency response of the outer and middle ear is simulated electrically in order to evaluate the signal that would reach the inner ear, where damage usually occurs. The data collected at the operators position of industrial machines will be correlated with the corresponding audiometric evaluation of hearing damage conducted by SUVA (Swiss National Insurance Fund), in order to find damage risk criteria for impulsive noise.

Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The sound exposure of the audience at a music festival.

During the Paleo Festival in Nyon, Switzerland, which took place from 24th to 29th July 2001, ten volunteers were equipped each evening with small sound level meters which continuously monitored their sound exposure as they circulated among the various festival events. Sound levels at the mixing console and at the place where people are most heavily exposed (in front of the speakers) were measured simultaneously. In addition, a sample of 601 people from the audience were interviewed over the six days of the festival and asked their opinion of sound level and quality, as well as provide details of where in the arena they preferred to listen to the concerts, whether they used ear plugs, if they had experienced any tinnitus, and if so how long it had persisted. The individual sound exposure during a typical evening was on average 95 dB(A) although 8% of the volunteers were exposed to sound levels higher then 100 dB(A). Only 5% of the audience wore ear plugs throughout the concert while 34% used them occasionally. While some 36% of the people interviewed reported that they had experienced tinnitus after listening to loud music, the majority found both the music quality and the sound level good. The sound level limit of 100 dB(A) at the place where the people are most heavily exposed seems to be a good compromise between the public heath issue, the demands of artists and organisers, and the expectations of the public. However, considering the average sound levels to which the public are exposed during a single evening, it is recommended that ear plugs be used by concert-goers who attend more than one day of the festival.

Adolescent↗