Impulse noise generated by starter pistols

Abstract

Objective-This study describes signals generated by .22 and .32 caliber starter pistols in the context of noise-induced hearing loss risk for sports officials and athletes.Design-Acoustic comparison of impulses generated from typical .22 and .32 caliber starter pistols firing blanks were made to impulses generated from comparable firearms firing both blanks and live rounds. Acoustic characteristics are described in terms of directionality and distance from the shooter in a simulated outdoor running track. Metrics include peak sound pressure levels (SPL), A-weighted equivalent 8-hour level (L eqA8 ), and maximum permissible number of individual shots, or maximum permissible exposures (MPE) for the unprotected ear.Results-Starter pistols produce peak SPLs above 140 dB. The numbers of MPEs are as few as five for the .22-caliber starter pistol, and somewhat higher (≤25) for the .32-caliber pistol.Conclusion-The impulsive sounds produced by starter pistols correspond to MPE numbers that are unacceptably small for unprotected officials and others in the immediate vicinity of the shooter. At the distances included in this study, the risk to athletes appears to be low (when referencing exposure criteria for adults), but the sound associated with the starter pistol will contribute to the athlete's overall noise exposure.Correspondence: Deanna K. Meinke Audiology and Speech-Language Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Campus Box 140, Greeley, CO 80639, USA. Deanna.Meinke@unco.edu. Disclaimer: The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Declaration of interest:Jacob Soendergaard is an employee of G.R.A.S. Sound and Vibration, a manufacturer of sound measurement instrumentation used in this research study. Athletic events have historically been started by using loud acoustic signals (e.g. track and field races). A trumpet blow was used by officials of the ancient Olympic Games beginning in the sixth century B.C. to start the Stadion (running race). Eventually, firearms replaced the trumpet as the acoustic signal source for a variety of sporting events (e.g. track and field, swimming, speed skating, horse racing). Prior to the widespread ability to rapidly transmit signals through wired or wireless networks, the sound produced by a firearm blast provided a recognizable and brief signal that traveled rapidly for great distances. The signal is purposely chosen to be loud and audible to the athletes, officials, and audience. HHS Public AccessThe common use of firearms for the purpose of starting sporting events eventually led to the development of starter pistols, a signaling device that replicates the general shape of a handgun but uses only "blank" cartridges (i.e. cartridges containing only combustible material or containing a combination of combustible and non-combustible materials, but no bullet or projectile). The black powder produces smoke that signals the race officials to tri...

Shooting habits of youth recreational firearm users

“…The Colorado youth reported a larger percentage fi ring a pistol in the past year, which could increase their risk for NIHL. Pistols can produce extremely high peak SPLs Meinke et al, 2013b) at the shooter ' s ear due to the short barrel length which places the muzzle close to the ear. Colorado youths were more likely to report shooting over 201 shots in the past year while target shooting, compared to Michigan youths.…”

Temporary threshold shift after impulse-noise during video game play: Laboratory data

“…Firearm exposure has been identified as a significant contributing factor to the overall problem and prevalence of NIHL (Agrawal et al, 2009; Agrawal et al, 2010). There are many common sources of impulse noise, including not only small arms (either military or civilian) (Tambs et al, 2006; Flamme et al, 2009b; Stewart et al, 2009; Ahroon et al, 2011), but also firecrackers (Flamme et al, 2009a), starter pistols (Meinke et al, 2013), and some workplaces where occupational noise conditions include impulse sounds (Sulkowski et al, 1999; Suvorov et al, 2001; Zera, 2001). Temporary threshold shift (TTS) as a result of impulse noise exposure has been reported (Bapat & Tolley, 2007), as well as changes in otoacoustic emissions (Pawlaczyk-Luszczynska et al, 2004; Balatsouras et al, 2005; Konopka et al, 2005; Olszewski et al, 2007).…”

Auditory risk of air rifles

“…When the muzzle of the air rifle is at a greater distance from the ear of the shooter, the peak SPL is reduced. Although air pistols were not evaluated in this study, it might be expected that the auditory hazard may be increased due to the closer proximity of the muzzle to the ear in these air guns; similar to the increased risk noted for powdered firearms (Meinke et al, 2013). The risk of auditory damage is similar regardless of whether lead or alloy pellets are shot and therefore other considerations (environmental, cost, etc.)…”

“…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).…”