A Comparison of the Startle Effects Resulting from Exposure to Two Levels of Simulated Sonic Booms,
Abstract
Subjects were exposed indoors to simulated sonic booms having outside overpressures of 50 and 150 N/sq m. Rise times were held constant at 5.5 msecs. In addition to the outside measurements, inside measures of dBlin and dBA were also obtained. Subjects attempted to hold a hand-steadiness device on target during boom exposure and amplitude of the arm-hand startle response was determined. Recordings were also obtained of the skin conductance and heart-rate responses as well as the eye-blink reflex. Although the 50 N/sq m boom produced slight arm-hand startle responses in a small percentage of subjects, the frequency of these responses was significantly greater to the higher boom level. Tentative conclusions advanced that sonic booms experienced indoors may cause slight arm-hand startle responses which could have adverse effects on occupational tasks in which arm-hand steadiness is the principal skill required, but that it seems unlikely these responses would significantly impair performance on less sensitive psychomotor tasks. (Modified author abstract)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0777581
Entities
People
- Joe P. Bailey
- Richard I. Thackray
- Robert M. Touchstone
Organizations
- Federal Aviation Administration