Frequency of greatest temporary hearing threshold shift in harbor seals (<i>Phoca vitulina</i>) depends on fatiguing sound level

Kastelein, Ronald A.; Helder-Hoek, Lean; Gransier, Robin

doi:10.1121/1.5092608

Cited by 15 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 41 publications

(65 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…For most of the fatiguing sound center frequencies tested with these California sea lions for this research project, a similar pattern was observed, though in most cases the greatest TTS occurred at half an octave above the center frequency (Cody & Johnstone, 1981;Kastelein et al, 2021bKastelein et al, , 2022aKastelein et al, , 2022b; in the present study, it occurred at the center frequency (only 1.4 dB higher than the maximum TTS measured with the hearing test frequency half an octave above the center frequency of the fatiguing sound). The hearing frequency most affected depends not only on the frequency, but also on the SEL of the fatiguing sound (Kastelein et al, 2019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporary Hearing Threshold Shift in California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) Due to a Noise Band Centered at 32 kHz

Kastelein,

Helder-Hoek,

Van Acoleyen

et al. 2024

Aquatic Mamm

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

To determine their frequency-dependent susceptibility to noise-induced temporary hearing threshold shift (TTS), two California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) were exposed for 60 min to a continuous one-sixth-octave noise band (NB) centered at 32 kHz as the fatiguing sound, at sound pressure levels of 132 to 156 dB re 1 µPa (sound exposure levels [SELs] of 168 to 192 dB re 1 µPa2s). Using a psychoacoustic technique, TTSs were quantified at the center frequency of the fatiguing sound and at half an octave and one octave above the center frequency (at 32, 44.8, and 63 kHz). When significant TTS occurred, higher SELs resulted in greater TTSs. TTSs and hearing recovery patterns were similar in both sea lions. The mean onset of TTS1-4 min (defined as 6 dB TTS) in sea lion F01 is estimated to occur after exposure to an SEL of 179 dB re 1 µPa2s (at hearing test frequency 44.8 kHz). After exposure to an SEL of 180 dB re 1 µPa2s, a mean TTS1-4 min of 6.7 dB was measured at hearing test frequency 44.8 kHz. In California sea lions, TTS onset levels are not as closely related (especially at the lower and higher frequencies) to the unmasked hearing thresholds (audiograms) as was previously assumed.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporary Hearing Threshold Shift in California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) Due to a Noise Band Centered at 32 kHz

Kastelein,

Helder-Hoek,

Van Acoleyen

et al. 2024

Aquatic Mamm

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Monitoring is needed for harbor porpoises, which are protected throughout their range, to better understand the driving factors for entering rivers. This possible barrier with a TTS potential should also be addressed for harbor seals, since these animals also occur in this area (Taupp, 2019) and are capable of hearing the acoustic flowmeter signal (Kastelein et al, 2009a;Kastelein et al, 2019b). Seals may also suffer from habitat exclusion by the acoustic signals of the flowmeter as acoustic signals with a 28 kHz component are even used for deterring seals (Kastelein et al, 2015b).…”

Section: Effects On Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

A Result of Accidental Noise Pollution: Acoustic Flowmeters Emit 28 kHz Pulses That May Affect Harbor Porpoise Hearing

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Large rivers like the Elbe or the Weser are periodically entered by harbor porpoises of the North Sea. They may even move 97 km upstream to the port of Hamburg, where their presence is highest in spring. This migration is believed to be related to important anadromous prey species travelling upstream for spawning. An acoustic flowmeter in the port of Hamburg emits signals in the hearing range of harbor porpoises. The pulses have a duration of 0.2 ms, a peak frequency of 28 kHz, a source level of 210 dB re 1 µPa and an inter-pulse interval of 4.2 s. The signals are continuously emitted from both sides of the river at a location where the river is 400 m wide. We evaluated the potential of these signals to induce temporary threshold shift (TTS) in harbor porpoise hearing. Hearing tests with a harbor porpoise in human care were conducted to determine TTS onset. We modelled the acoustic field based on underwater noise measurements. The acoustic flowmeters emit pulses in a highly directional beam with a source level high enough for inducing TTS in harbor porpoises by a single exposure up to a distance of approximately 72 m. The received cumulative sound exposure levels for harbor porpoises travelling along the flowmeters are mainly dependent on the timing and distance to the sound source. Accordingly, a close approach to the flowmeter at the time of transmission should be prevented. This could be the case, if vessels force harbor porpoises to displace closer to the flowmeters. We therefore suggest to decrease acoustic flowmeter source levels. This case study emphasizes the need for a mandatory authorization process prior to the use of underwater sound for any purpose with potential effects on aquatic life. Such an authorization process should carefully consider potential effects for target and non-target species.

show abstract

“…Measurements of the auditory systems of harbour seals have noted that their highest underwater hearing sensitivity occurs between 50 Hz and 86 kHz (Mohl, 1968; Terhune, 1988; Kastelein et al, 2009a; Kastelein et al, 2009b; Cunningham & Reichmuth, 2016), encompassing the frequency ranges at which the majority of ADDs operate (0.5–40 kHz) (Lepper et al, 2014; Todd et al, 2021). A number of captive studies have documented both TTS and PTS from exposures to noise between these frequencies (0.5–40 kHz) (Kastak et al, 2005; Kastelein et al, 2012; Kastelein et al, 2013b; Kastelein, Helder‐Hoek & Gransier, 2019; Reichmuth et al, 2019; Kastelein et al, 2020a; Kastelein et al, 2020b). However, although models have predicted this noise source as a risk of auditory impairment to seals (Götz & Janik, 2013; Lepper et al, 2014), the potential for auditory impairment in non‐target seals at sea and in waters around protected sites has yet to be quantified.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure of individual harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and waters surrounding protected habitats to acoustic deterrent noise from aquaculture

Findlay

Hastie

Farcas

et al. 2022

Aquatic Conservation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

1. Pinniped depredation at aquaculture sites is a globally recognized problem. To mitigate depredation, the aquaculture sector uses acoustic deterrent devices (ADDs) as a non-lethal alternative to shooting pinnipeds interacting with caged finfish. However, it is unclear whether sound emissions from ADDs have the potential to also impact non-target pinnipeds at spatial scales relevant to populations.2. Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking data from seven harbour seals tagged in a non-aquaculture context, on the west coast of Scotland, in 2017 were combined with modelled maps of ADD noise to quantify sound exposure and estimate the potential for auditory impairment. The acoustic model applied an energy flux approach across the main frequency range of ADDs (2-40 kHz).Predictions of temporary and permanent auditory threshold shifts were made using seal location data and published noise exposure criteria. The acoustic exposure of waters (10-km buffers) surrounding protected habitats (i.e. designated haul outs and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)) on the west coast of Scotland was also assessed.3. All tagged seals and waters surrounding 51 of 56 protected sites were predicted to be exposed to ADD noise exceeding median ambient sound levels. Temporary auditory impairment was predicted to occur in one of the seven tagged harbour seals and across 1.7% of waters surrounding protected habitats over a 24-hour period, when assuming a 100% ADD duty cycle.4. Although the predicted risk of auditory impairment appears to be relatively low, these findings suggest that harbour seals inhabiting inshore waters off western Scotland are routinely exposed to ADD noise that exceeds median ambient sound levels. This chronic exposure risks negative consequences for individual harbour seals among the wider population in this region. The use of ADDs to mitigate pinniped depredation should be carefully considered to reduce unintended habitat-wide impacts on non-target species, including pinnipeds that are not specifically interacting with aquaculture.

show abstract

Frequency of greatest temporary hearing threshold shift in harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) depends on fatiguing sound level

Cited by 15 publications

References 41 publications

Temporary Hearing Threshold Shift in California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) Due to a Noise Band Centered at 32 kHz

Temporary Hearing Threshold Shift in California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) Due to a Noise Band Centered at 32 kHz

A Result of Accidental Noise Pollution: Acoustic Flowmeters Emit 28 kHz Pulses That May Affect Harbor Porpoise Hearing

Exposure of individual harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and waters surrounding protected habitats to acoustic deterrent noise from aquaculture

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About