Temporary Auditory-Threshold Shifts Induced by Repeated Ten-Minute Exposures to Continuous Tones in Water

摘要

The purpose of this research is to develop a database upon which to establish hearing-conservation standards for Navy divers exposed to noise emanating from hand-held tools. Four divers were exposed successively for ten minute periods to pure tones of 5600, 1400, and 700 hertz (Hz) (in that order) in air at 100 decibels above 20 micropascal and in water at various sound pressure levels between 125 and 150 decibels above 20 micropascal. Divers incurred moderate temporary auditory-threshold shifts (TTS) from all exposures. Equivalent amounts of TTS are produced in water as in air by the same sound intensity levels (SIL) at 700 Hz, by 5 to 15 dB greater SIL in water in 1400 Hz, and by smaller SILs in water at 5600 Hz. Keywords: Noise pollution, Military hygiene. (aw)