Tentative Estimate of a Hearing Damage Risk Criterion for Steady-State Noise

Abstract

The probable shape of a limiting spectrum for noise in a working environment where there is long daily exposure is determined by reasoning from previously determined data of the hearing mechanism. It is assumed that hearing loss is due to a progressive fatigue phenomenon, the fatigue being a direct function of the energy stimulus in the inner ear. From the characteristics of this stimulus as a function of frequency, it is shown that the most sensitive region for loss is around 3000 cps, the low frequencies being as much as 20 db less sensitive than this region. The 4000 cps "notch" in audiograms of industrial workers is thereby explained. The limiting spectra are essentially equal-loudness contours for broad-band noise when the noise spectrum is plotted in octave bands. Two limiting loudness curves and their corresponding spectra are tentatively suggested as damage risk criteria. If the noise exceeds 100 sones in any octave band, it appears very probable that long time daily exposure will result in hearing damage and in a frequency region slightly above the frequencies of maximum stimulus. If the sound does not exceed 50 sones in any octave band, it appears to be unlikely that damage will occur even with long exposure.