What will the program achieve?
Research Goal 1.3 - Achieve a better understanding of the combined effects of continuous and impulsive noise exposures

The HLR program is analyzing over 150 digitized impulsive noise samples that were collected at three different manufacturing plants during typical work activities. For each facility the digitized recording of impulsive sound will be analyzed to identify and characterize parameters of sound that may affect hearing loss risk using biomechanical models of the human ear. Results of this analysis will be used in subsequent analysis to (1) develop a summary 8-hour time-weighted average exposure indicator that incorporates the sound pressure and power from both continuous noise and impulsive noise measures collected directly from field measures, and (2) develop exposure-response models for impulsive noise using noise exposure measurement results and epidemiological data from workers at the plants.