Auditory risk of air rifles

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 L_Aeq75 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.

Key Words:

• Air rifles
• air guns
• recreational shooting
• noise-induced hearing loss
• auditory risk
• impulse noise
• youth health risk
• firearms

Acknowledgements

The findings and conclusions in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Products mentioned in this article are not endorsed by the CDC or NIOSH.

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.