Implications of Basic Research in Hearing for the Design of Safer Weapons

摘要

Continued basic research on auditory function has produced evidence that current thinking on the hazard from weapons impulses may need revision. Specifically, evidence indicates that spectral tuning of the ear results in the prime source of damage being the energy in the mid-range (1.0-3.0 kHz). This is true even though spectral peaks may be much lower in frequency. Given this tuning, it is argued that measures aimed at changing the energy in the mid-range can reduce the hazard appreciably. Two specific suggestions are: lengthening the rise-time of the impulse and using barriers to create sound shadows. (Author)