Animal Models in Impulse Noise Research
Abstract
The growing concern for animal rights has made it incumbent upon the scientist to justify the use of animal models in research. This report focuses on research on hearing hazard from impulse noise and develops arguments for the use of animal models based on ethical, practical, and theoretical/experimental considerations. A variety of issues require the use of animal ears in research with intense impulse noises. Two of them are especially compelling. First, because we now know that sudden and unpredictable permanent damage can occur with intense impulsive sounds, they represent a hazard to which human ears should not be exposed, especially in an experimental setting. Second, the experiments that are most likely to provide critical theoretical information are hazardous, invasive, and/or require sacrifice of the ear in their execution. If human ears cannot be used and animal models are the only way to acquire the critical data or to validate mathematical models, then animal models must play a central role in advancing our scientific understanding and promoting the public interest in accurate rating and control of noise hazard. Keywords: Blast over pressure, Deafness, Anatomical models.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA204518
Entities
People
- G. R. Price
Organizations
- Human Engineering Laboratory