Recreational Diver Responses to 600-2500 Hz Waterborne Sound
Abstract
Previous work (UHM, 27( Suppl): 18, 2000) investigated aversion to 600-2500 Hz waterborne sound (WBS) in US Navy divers. This study extends previous work by investigating the effects of 600-2420 Hz WBS on psychophysical and reaction time responses of recreational divers who have never previously experienced high levels of WBS. Nineteen male and two female military recreational divers volunteered. Subjects wore full 3-mm wet suits (without hood or gloves). Sound exposures consisted of 28-s pure tones at 600, 1000, 1750 and 2420 Hz, each presented at four sound pressure levels (SPL) ranging from 140 to 166 dB re 1 muPa. At least a 50% duty cycle was used. Subjects performed an underwater visual two-choice reaction time (kT) test while exposed to WBS. Following each sound exposure, divers rated loudness and body vibration for each signal on a 10-point category-ratio scale. Exposures to 600-2420 Hz WBS at SPLs up to 166 dB produce relatively low sensations of body vibration and result in small, but clinically insignificant, effects on a simple cognitive.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 13, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA407482
Entities
People
- David M. Fothergill
- Derek Schwaller
- Edward A. Cudahy
- S. E. Forsythe
Organizations
- Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory