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, LAeq8 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.

Prevention of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss from Recreational Firearms

“…Shorter barrel lengths found in both youth firearms and assault rifles also increase the SPL measured at the shooter's left ear. 11,14 The left ear is reported due to the higher asymmetrical exposure from a rifle or shotgun gunshot and higher prevalence of hearing loss in the left ear of right-handed shooters, as addressed later in this article.…”

“…The maximum peak sound pressure levels (SPLs) from firearms range from $140 to 175 dB. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] The majority of recreational firearms (excluding small-caliber 0.17 and 0.22 rifles and air rifles) generate between 150 and 165 dB peak SPL. The general range of peak SPLs measured at the left ear of a right-handed shooter for various categories of recreational firearms are summarized in Table 1.…”

“…The general range of peak SPLs measured at the left ear of a right-handed shooter for various categories of recreational firearms are summarized in Table 1. [7][8][9][10][11][12] Pistols have shorter barrel lengths than rifles and shotguns and rank high in peak SPL due in part to the closer proximity of the muzzle to the ears. Shorter barrel lengths found in both youth firearms and assault rifles also increase the SPL measured at the shooter's left ear.…”

Auditory risk of air rifles

“…In general, the air rifle (Gamo Varmint Hunter) with the highest peak SPL (133.5 dB) is approximately 6 dB lower (139.6 dB) than the .22 caliber Remington 514 powdered youth gun measured at left ear level in Meinke et al (2014). The outcomes from this study suggest that air rifles with lower velocities and those with an integrated suppressor pose less auditory risk.…”

“…The auditory risk of noise exposure to civilian firearms (Flamme et al, 2009b), starter pistols (Meinke et al, 2013), and youth firearms (Meinke et al, 2014) have been described using adult auditory damage risk criteria (DRC) such as maximum permissible exposures (MPE) using L Aeq8 and the Auditory Hazard Assessment Algorithm for Humans (AHAAH) (Price & Kalb 1991; Price, 2007; Fedele et al, 2013). Strong correlations have been shown between the outcomes from these DRCs (Flamme et al, 2009b).…”