Archive

---

Med. Pr. 2002;53(5)

Assessment and analysis of the acoustic environment of soldiers exposed to impulse noise

Ocena i analiza środowiska akustycznego u żołnierzy narażonych na hałas impulsowy

Wiesław Konopka, Małgorzata Pawlaczyk-Łuszczyńska, Piotr Zalewski, Jarosław Miłoński

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the acoustic environment of soldiers attending a one year basic military service. The study material comprised 13 types of weapons used by this group of soldiers. During the target practice, the following parameters were measured separately for the right ear and the left ear: equivalent sound pressure level A (L_{A eq, Te}); maximum sound pressure level A (L_{A F max}) and peak sound pressure level C (L_{C peak}). The measurements covered several single shots or a shot series. In addition, a spectroanalysis in 1/3-octave band frequency of 40-50 000 Hz, was conducted.
There were following values of measurements in the direct vicinity of the ears: L_{A eq, Te} fell within the range of 106.2-119.5 dB (mean,112.2 dB) for the right ear and 104.2 dB - 118.4 dB (mean, 113.2 dB) for the left ear; L_{A F max} within the range of 124.5-132.3 dB (mean, 128.3 dB) for the right ear and 116.3-135.1 dB (mean, 128.1 dB) for the left ear;L_{C peak} within the range of 151.8-156.5 dB (mean, 154.8 dB/155 dB) for the right ear and 151.9-156.2 dB (mean,155.4 dB) for the left ear. In the noise spectrum, components of audible frequencies predominated, 160-300 Hz (mainly for high caliber weapon); 1600-6300 Hz for the right ear and 2500-4000 Hz for the left peak (small caliber weapons); 6300-16 000 and ultrasonic 25 000-50 000 Hz. No significant differences were found in the measurements of the right ear and the left ear.

Key words

impulse noise, military service, noise sources, acoustic pressure