Auditory risk estimates for youth target shooting

Abstract

Objective: To characterize the impulse noise exposure and auditory risk for youth recreational firearm users engaged in outdoor target shooting events. The youth shooting positions are typically standing or sitting at a table, which places the firearm closer to the ground or reflective surface when compared to adult shooters. 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 suggested by the World Health Organization (1999) for children. Study sample: Impulses were generated by 26 firearm/ammunition configurations representing rifles, shotguns, and pistols used by youth. Measurements were obtained relative to a youth shooter's left ear. Results: All firearms generated peak levels that exceeded the 120 dB peak limit suggested by the WHO for children. In general, shooting from the seated position over a tabletop increases the peak levels, L_Aeq8 and reduces the unprotected maximum permissible exposures (MPEs) for both rifles and pistols. Pistols pose the greatest auditory risk when fired over a tabletop. Conclusion: Youth should utilize smaller caliber weapons, preferably from the standing position, and always wear hearing protection whenever engaging in shooting activities to reduce the risk for auditory damage.

Key Words::

• Firearms
• youth
• recreational shooting
• noise-induced hearing loss
• auditory risk
• impulse noise

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Edward Zechmann (CDC/NIOSH Taft Laboratories) for the MATLAB software routines used for data analysis. Preliminary findings from this study were presented at the 38th Annual National Hearing Conservation Association Conference; St. Petersburg, Florida, USAL. (Meinke et al, 2013b). The findings and conclusions in this manuscript are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Declaration of interest: Jacob Soendergaard is an employee of G.R.A.S. Sound and Vibration, a manufacturer of sound measurement equipment, some of which was used in this research study.