Real-ear acoustical characteristics of impulse sound generated by golf drivers and the estimated risk to hearing: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study investigated real-ear acoustical characteristics in terms of the sound pressure levels (SPLs) and frequency responses in situ generated from golf club drivers at impact with a golf ball. The risk of hearing loss caused by hitting a basket of golf balls using various drivers was then estimated.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingThe three driver clubs were chosen on the basis of reflection of the commonality and modern technology of the clubs. The participants were asked to choose the clubs in a random order and hit six two-piece range golf balls with each club. The experiment was carried out at a golf driving range in South Wales, UK.Participants19 male amateur golfers volunteered to take part in the study, with an age range of 19–54 years.Outcome measuresThe frequency responses and peak SPLs in situ of the transient sound generated from the club at impact were recorded bilaterally and simultaneously using the GN Otometric Freefit wireless real-ear measurement system. A swing speed radar system was also used to investigate the relationship between noise level and swing speed.ResultsDifferent clubs generated significantly different real-ear acoustical characteristics in terms of SPL and frequency responses. However, they did not differ significantly between the ears. No significant correlation was found between the swing speed and noise intensity. On the basis of the SPLs measured in the present study, the percentage of daily noise exposure for hitting a basket of golf balls using the drivers described above was less than 2%.ConclusionsThe immediate danger of noise-induced hearing loss for amateur golfers is quite unlikely. However, it may be dangerous to hearing if the noise level generated by the golf clubs exceeded 116 dBA.

Influence of risky and protective behaviors connected with listening to music on hearing loss and the noise induced threshold shift among students of the Medical University of Bialystok

“…Two extreme answers ('very loud' or 'quiet') were chosen very rarely, which might result from an assumption that music could be listened to at a high or low volume. To prevent ambiguous responses, an objective method of assessing loudness should be proposed in further studies [18].…”

Cochlear Damage Caused by the Striking Noise of Titanium Head Golf Driver

“…As another study, we analyzed the acoustic characteristics of the noise caused by titanium GDHs from various companies and suggested that the impact noise might create potential auditory hazards [3]. More recently, with the real ear measurement system, Zhao and Bardsley [2] analyzed the effect of the golf driver impact sound and suggested that hearing damage could result from this noise. They showed that golf driver’s noise greater than 116 dBA poses a significant risk of NIHL [2].…”

“…More recently, with the real ear measurement system, Zhao and Bardsley [2] analyzed the effect of the golf driver impact sound and suggested that hearing damage could result from this noise. They showed that golf driver’s noise greater than 116 dBA poses a significant risk of NIHL [2]. However, to the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first report confirming, both functionally and histologically, that the impact sound caused by a titanium GDH could cause noise-induced cochlear damage.…”

“…Recently, many people enjoy games or practices in indoor golf practice booths where the noise generated by striking a ball is more condensed than in outdoor practice ranges. However, most of people using indoor practice booths are not aware of risk of noise exposure although there have been several studies showing that the impact sound caused by striking a ball with a golf club has been implicated in hearing damage [1,2]. We recently analyzed the characteristics and the auditory hazards of impact noise caused by titanium golf driver heads (GDHs), and demonstrated that impact noise generated by the striking of titanium head golf drivers against balls showed a high peak level of approximately 120 A-weighted dB (dBA) and a very short duration of less than 200 ms which could be hazardous to those frequently exercise gold in indoor booth [3].…”