James E Lankford1, Deanna K Meinke2, Gregory A Flamme3, Donald S Finan2, Michael Stewart4, Stephen Tasko3, William J Murphy5. 1. a Northern Illinois University, Emeritus , DeKalb , USA . 2. b Audiology and Speech-Language Sciences, University of Northern Colorado , Greeley , USA . 3. c Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology , Western Michigan University , Kalamazoo , USA . 4. d Department of Communication Disorders , Central Michigan University , Mount Pleasant , USA , and. 5. e Division of Applied Research and Technology , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health , Cincinnati , USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To characterize the impulse noise exposure and auditory risk for air rifle users for both youth and adults. DESIGN: Acoustic characteristics were examined and the auditory risk estimates were evaluated using contemporary damage-risk criteria for unprotected adult listeners and the 120-dB peak limit and LAeq75 exposure limit suggested by the World Health Organization (1999) for children. STUDY SAMPLE: Impulses were generated by nine pellet air rifles and one BB air rifle. RESULTS: None of the air rifles generated peak levels that exceeded the 140 dB peak limit for adults, and eight (80%) exceeded the 120 dB peak SPL limit for youth. In general, for both adults and youth, there is minimal auditory risk when shooting fewer than 100 unprotected shots with pellet air rifles. Air rifles with suppressors were less hazardous than those without suppressors, and the pellet air rifles with higher velocities were generally more hazardous than those with lower velocities. CONCLUSION: To minimize auditory risk, youth should utilize air rifles with an integrated suppressor and lower velocity ratings. Air rifle shooters are advised to wear hearing protection whenever engaging in shooting activities in order to gain self-efficacy and model appropriate hearing health behaviors necessary for recreational firearm use.
OBJECTIVE: To characterize the impulse noise exposure and auditory risk for air rifle users for both youth and adults. DESIGN: Acoustic characteristics were examined and the auditory risk estimates were evaluated using contemporary damage-risk criteria for unprotected adult listeners and the 120-dB peak limit and LAeq75 exposure limit suggested by the World Health Organization (1999) for children. STUDY SAMPLE: Impulses were generated by nine pellet air rifles and one BB air rifle. RESULTS: None of the air rifles generated peak levels that exceeded the 140 dB peak limit for adults, and eight (80%) exceeded the 120 dB peak SPL limit for youth. In general, for both adults and youth, there is minimal auditory risk when shooting fewer than 100 unprotected shots with pellet air rifles. Air rifles with suppressors were less hazardous than those without suppressors, and the pellet air rifles with higher velocities were generally more hazardous than those with lower velocities. CONCLUSION: To minimize auditory risk, youth should utilize air rifles with an integrated suppressor and lower velocity ratings. Air rifle shooters are advised to wear hearing protection whenever engaging in shooting activities in order to gain self-efficacy and model appropriate hearing health behaviors necessary for recreational firearm use.
Entities:
Keywords:
Air rifles; air guns; auditory risk; firearms; impulse noise; noise-induced hearing loss; recreational shooting; youth health risk
Authors: Deanna K Meinke; William J Murphy; Donald S Finan; James E Lankford; Gregory A Flamme; Michael Stewart; Jacob Soendergaard; Trevor W Jerome Journal: Int J Audiol Date: 2014-03 Impact factor: 2.117
Authors: Deanna K Meinke; Donald S Finan; Jacob Soendergaard; Gregory A Flamme; William J Murphy; James E Lankford; Michael Stewart Journal: Int J Audiol Date: 2013-02 Impact factor: 2.117
Authors: Deanna K Meinke; Donald S Finan; Gregory A Flamme; William J Murphy; Michael Stewart; James E Lankford; Stephen Tasko Journal: Semin Hear Date: 2017-10-10