Measurement of high level impulse noise for the use with different damage risk criteria

Abstract

On the battlefield, but also during training, a soldier is continuously exposed to various types of noise (impulse and continuous). This exposure is not only noise generated by his own weapon but also by weapons or vehicles of close by troops. The exposure levels are between 160 dB peak for small arms and 190 dB peak at the soldier's ear for some anti tank weapons, with A-durations from 0.3 ms (small caliber) to 4 ms for large caliber weapons (e.g., Howitzers). In order to protect the soldier to noise exposures which may induce hearing loss, damage risk criteria (DRC) are implemented, and proposed for the prediction of the potential risk due to a certain noise exposure. Depending on the type of criteria (Pressure-Time-History or A-weighted Energy based), the recording and evaluation of different physical signal parameters has to be done in accordance to the used DRC. The paper will present the problems which may arise when recording impulse (weapon) noise with very high peak pressure levels and discuss measurement techniques compatible with the used DRCs. The paper will also discuss problems which may arise during the use and development of portable noise dose meters for the use in the military environment.