Auditory Weighting Functions and TTS/PTS Exposure Functions for Marine Mammals Exposed to Underwater Noise
Abstract
The U.S. Navy's Tactical Training Theater Assessment and Planning (TAP) Program addresses environmental challenges that affect Navy training ranges and operating areas. As part of the TAP process, acoustic effects analyses are conducted to estimate the potential effects of Navy activities that introduce high-levels of sound or explosive energy into the marine environment. Acoustic effects analyses begin with mathematical modeling to predict the sound transmission patterns from Navy sources. These data are then coupled with marine species distribution and abundance data to determine the sound levels likely to be received by various marine species. Finally, criteria and thresholds are applied to estimate the specific effects that animals exposed to Navy-generated sound may experience. This document describes the rationale and steps used to define proposed numeric thresholds for predicting auditory effects on marine mammals exposed to active sonars, other (non-impulsive) active acoustic sources, explosives, pile driving, and air guns for Phase 3 of the TAP Program. Since the derivation of TAP Phase 2 acoustic criteria and thresholds, important new data have been obtained related to the effects of noise on marine mammal hearing. Therefore, for Phase 3, new criteria and thresholds for the onset of temporary and permanent hearing loss have been developed, following a consistent approach for all species of interest and utilizing all relevant, available data. The effects of noise frequency on hearing loss are incorporated by using auditory weighting functions to emphasize noise at frequencies where a species is more sensitive to noise and de-emphasize noise at frequencies where susceptibility is low.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1026445
Entities
People
- James J Finneran
Organizations
- Naval Information Warfare Systems Command