NCJ Number
35069
Date Published
1976
Length
20 pages
Annotation
THIS GUIDELINE, PREPARED AS PART OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT STANDARDS PROGRAM, DISCUSSES THE HAZARDS OF GUNFIRE NOISE-INDUCED HEARING DAMAGE AND THE SELECTION OF HEARING PROTECTORS TO GUARD AGAINST THIS HAZARD.
Abstract
ITS PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE THE SHOOTER WITH AN APPRECIATION OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE PROBLEM AND A BASIS FOR THE SELECTION OF A SUITABLE HEARING PROTECTOR. MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE NOISE EXPOSURE LEVELS ARE DISCUSSED IN TERMS OF THE NOISE PRODUCED BY FIREARMS AND THE SEVERAL DAMAGE-RISK CRITERIA WHICH HAVE BEEN PROPOSED. THE VARIOUS TYPES OF HEARING PROTECTION DEVICES EARPLUGS, EARMUFFS, AND HELMETS - ARE BRIEFLY DESCRIBED AND THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF EACH OF THESE METHODS ARE LISTED. QUESTIONS WHICH MAY BE USED TO HELP THE PURCHASER TO DEFINE HIS NEEDS AND ASSESS EACH PRODUCT WITH RESPECT TO HIS NEEDS ARE PROVIDED. THE GUIDE CONCLUDES WITH A LISTING OF CURRENTLY AVAILABLE HEARING PROTECTORS AND THEIR NOSE ATTENUATION PROPERTIES. (SNI ABSTRACT)