Small-Rocket Noise: Hazards to Hearing (Advanced LAW Program)

Abstract

Temporary threshold shifts were determined for single exposures of subjects to impulses produced by the M20A1 and the M72 rocket launchers. These exposures were at levels up to 179 dB without hearing protection, and up to 184 dB with hearing protection. This study indicates that the CHABA impulse noise damage-risk criterion is valid for single impulses having durations of 12 to 34 milliseconds. The firer of the M72 is subjected to 179 dB which is greatly in excess of the exposure criterion; personnel should not be exposed to such conditions without hearing protection. The standard Army issue earplug (V51-R) nominally provides 25 dB attenuation for this type impulse and permits safe exposures up to 184 dB.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1971
Accession Number
AD0732434

Entities

People

  • David C. Hodge
  • Georges R. Garinther

Organizations

  • United States Army Materiel Command

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Attenuation
  • Electrical Equipment
  • Engineering
  • Frequency
  • Hearing Loss
  • Hearing Protection
  • Human Factors Engineering
  • Impulse Noise
  • Launchers
  • Losses
  • Maryland
  • Measurement
  • Medical Personnel
  • Photographs
  • Rocket Launchers
  • Transducers
  • Weapons

Readers

  • Auditory Neuroscience/Auditory Physiology.
  • Electrical Engineering