Guida HL, Taxini CL, Gonçalves CGDO, Valenti VE. Evaluation of hearing protection used by police officers in the shooting range.
Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 2014;
80:515-21. [PMID:
25457072 PMCID:
PMC9442721 DOI:
10.1016/j.bjorl.2014.08.003]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2013] [Accepted: 12/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction
Impact noise is characterized by acoustic energy peaks that last less than a second, at intervals of more than 1 s.
Objective
To quantify the levels of impact noise to which police officers are exposed during activities at the shooting range and to evaluate the attenuation of the hearing protector.
Methods
Measurements were performed in the shooting range of a military police department. An SV 102 audiodosimeter (Svantek) was used to measure sound pressure levels. Two microphones were used simultaneously: one external and one insertion type; the firearm used was a 0.40 Taurus® rimless pistol.
Results
The values obtained with the external microphone were 146 dBC (peak), and a maximum sound level of 129.4 dBC (fast). The results obtained with the insertion microphone were 138.7 dBC (peak), and a maximum sound level of 121.6 dBC (fast).
Conclusion
The findings showed high levels of sound pressure in the shooting range, which exceeded the maximum recommended noise (120 dBC), even when measured through the insertion microphone. Therefore, alternatives to improve the performance of hearing protection should be considered.
Collapse