The reduction of gunshot noise and auditory risk through the use of firearm suppressors and low-velocity ammunition
| Autor: | William J. Murphy, Deanna K. Meinke, Stephen M. Tasko, Donald S. Finan, Edward L. Zechmann, Adam R. Campbell, Michael G. Stewart, Gregory A. Flamme, James E. Lankford |
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| Rok vydání: | 2018 |
| Předmět: |
Firearms
Linguistics and Language medicine.medical_specialty Audiology Impulse noise Risk Assessment 01 natural sciences Article Language and Linguistics law.invention Reduction (complexity) Motion 03 medical and health sciences Speech and Hearing 0302 clinical medicine Hearing Risk Factors law Occupational Exposure 0103 physical sciences otorhinolaryngologic diseases Pressure medicine Humans Ear Protective Devices 030223 otorhinolaryngology 010301 acoustics Occupational Health Amplifiers Electronic business.industry Auditory Threshold Acoustics Protective Factors Sound power medicine.disease Ammunition Noise Hearing Loss Noise-Induced Suppressor business Noise-induced hearing loss |
| Zdroj: | Int J Audiol |
| ISSN: | 1708-8186 1499-2027 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/14992027.2017.1407459 |
| Popis: | OBJECTIVE: This research assessed the reduction of peak levels, equivalent energy and sound power of firearm suppressors. DESIGN: The first study evaluated the effect of firearm suppressors at several positions around the firearm for four firearms. The second study assessed the reduction of sound power with a 3-meter hemispherical array of microphones for two firearms. RESULTS: The suppressors reduced exposures at the ear between 17- and 24-dB peak sound pressure level and reduced the 8-hour equivalent A-weighted energy between 9 and 21 dB depending upon the firearm and ammunition. Noise reductions observed for the instructor’s position about a meter behind the shooter were between 20- and 28-dB peak sound pressure and between 11 and 26 dB L(Aeq,8h). Firearm suppressors reduced the measured sound power levels between 2 and 23 dB. Sound power reductions were greater for the low-velocity ammunition than for the same weapons fired with high-velocity ammunition due to the effect of N-waves produced by a supersonic projectile. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas firearms suppressors are an effective engineering control to reduce firearm noise exposures, firearm users should always wear hearing protection whenever using weapons. The cumulative exposures of suppressed firearms can still present a significant hearing risk. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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