Development of Realistic A-Weighted Auditory Risk Criteria for Aerospace Operations

Abstract

Attempts directed at identifying potentially hazardous noise exposures have been vigorous. Unfortunately, unanimity of opinions relative to establishment of such criteria has not been achieved. The authors have previously proposed adoption of CHABA Work Group 46 criterion for steady-state-type noises for assessing degrees of auditory risk associated with aerospace operations. The authors review the salient features of various damage risk criteria and primary and secondary compromises are discussed. The authors, using noise data representative of ground and airborne operations, evaluate and critique the different criteria relative to degree of stringency imposed by each. A simple criterion using A-weighted sound levels is proposed for broadband and narrow-band steady-state-type noises.