Noise: A Hazard to Divers and Hyperbaric Chamber Personnel.
Abstract
Quantitative information describing ambient noise in the diving environment is almost non-existent. Sensorineural hearing deficits that have been observed in some diving groups have been attributed to previous noise exposure in non-diving situations such as exposure to small arms fire, engine room noise or flight deck noise. This report describes a series of experiments conducted at the Navy Experimental Diving Unit to determine the sound level in a variety of helmet diving and hyperbaric chamber situations from the surface to a depth of 200 feet. The data is defined in terms of the hearing damage risk criteria currently in use by the Navy. Results indicate that operations involving both diving helmets and hyperbaric chambers frequently expose personnel to hazardous levels of noise depending on the length of time of the exposure. Three cases of temporary sensorineural hearing loss thought to be related to noise exposure during air helmet dives are also presented. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 15, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0725144
Entities
People
- James K. Summitt
- Stephen D. Reimers
Organizations
- United States Navy Experimental Diving Unit