Education
RT 222
Bang! Impulse and Impact Noise: Measurement, Auditory Effects, and Hearing Protectors
Tuesday | 2:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m. |
Topic:
Noise
Arranger: E. Berger, 3M, Indianapolis, IL. Moderator: J. Cissna, Portland General Electric, Portland, OR. Monitors: R. Brauch, Casella CEL Inc., Williamsville, NY; T. Kakos, EES Coke Battery, LLC, Detroit, MI.
Noise of high intensity but short duration — known as impulsive and impact noise — is distinct in many respects from steady-state noise. Differences are found in the damage-risk criteria, mechanism of hearing loss, measurement and analysis, and efficacy of hearing protection. Accurate predictions of the auditory risk from these impulses lag behind our understanding of steady-state noise. The hearing conservation community must reconcile observations that impulsive and impact noise can produce greater hearing loss than steady-state noise, yet the ear appears to have unique resistance to certain types of impulsive and impact noise. This roundtable gathers leading experts in impulsive and impact noise to share the current knowledge in this area and equip industrial hygienists with tools to understand and effectively address impulsive noise and manage its impact on workers.
- Mechanisms of NIHL from Impulse vs. Steady Noise and Effects of Kurtosis. K. Campbell, Southern Illinois, Springfield, IL.
- Why Is it So Hard to Predict Hazard from Impulse Noise? G. Price, AHAnalysis, Charlestown, MD.
- Auditory Risk from Exposure to Impulse Noise. G. Flamme, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI.
- What Do Level-Dependent (“Nonlinear”) HPDs Really Offer, and How Do I Test Them with the New ANSI S12.42 Standard? E. Berger, 3M, Indianapolis, IN.
- Measurements of the Impulse Attenuation for Various Electronic HPDs. W. Murphy, NIOSH, Cincinnati, OH.
- Development of an Improved Blast Plug with Good Situational Awareness. M. Killion, Etymotic Research, Elk Grove Village, IL.
