Accession Number:

ADA191652

Title:

Direct Determination of the Adequacy of Hearing Protection for Use with the VIPER,

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

ARMY AEROMEDICAL RESEARCH LAB FORT RUCKER AL

Personal Author(s):

• Patterson, James H.
• Mozo, Ben T.

Report Date:

1987-08-01

Pagination or Media Count:

38.0

Abstract:

During developmental testing it was determined that the VIPER antitank weapon produced impulse noise which exceeded the maximum levels permitted by MIL-STD-1474. In order to proceed with operational tests, it was necessary to determine whether adequate hearing protection could be provided. This study involved the exposure of 38 volunteers to two rounds of VIPER fired in rapid succession while wearing EARTM earplugs. The average exposure peak level was 181 dB SPL. Audiograms were taken before and after exposure. No detectable changes in hearing were observed in the group of volunteers. From this, it was concluded that Ear TM earplugs provide adequate protection for at least two rounds of VIPER.

Descriptors:

• *HEARING
• *NOISE(SOUND)
• ANTITANK WEAPONS
• AUDIOMETRY
• DETERMINATION
• EAR PROTECTORS
• EXPOSURE(GENERAL)
• IMPULSE NOISE
• PEAK VALUES
• PROTECTION
• TEST AND EVALUATION
• VOLUNTEERS
• ROCKET LAUNCHERS
• ROCKETS
• THRESHOLDS(PHYSIOLOGY)

Subject Categories:

• Stress Physiology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE