Noise And Vibration Flashcards
The nature of sound
Sound is a mechanical radiant ENERGY that is transmitted by longitudinal pressure waves in a material medium (such as air) and is the objective cause of hearing
*Sound is ENERGY
Sound
Produced when an object or surface vibrates rapidly
Transmitted through any elastic substance such as air, water, or bone
Density of the substance determines the speed at which the sound and pressure waves will travel
Perception of sound
Sound energy wave enters ear flap (gives direction, intensifies), into ear canal, to the eardrum and middle ear, finally to inner ear and converted to nerve impulses to brain.
Cochlea
Inside inner ear
Receptors of sound
Detect fluid movement in cochlea
Transmit electrical impulses to the brain where sound is interpreted
Noise
Sound that is - loud (perception of listener); unpleasant, unwanted
Effects of noise in aviation enviornment
Annoyance and fatigue
Speech interference
Hearing loss
Measurable characteristics of noise
Frequency
Intensity
Duration
Frequency
Gives sound pitch
Number of times per second air pressure oscillates
CPS = Hertz (HZ)
Intensity
Measure that correlates sound pressure to loudness
Measured in decibels (dB)
Decibel levels
0dB - hearing threshold 65dB - average human conversation **85dB - damage-risk noise limit** 120dB - threshold for discomfort 140dB - threshold of pain 160dB - ear drum rupture *190dB - death
Duration
How long you are exposed to noise - steady noise vs. impulse
Steady noise
Continuous noise at high intensity
Wide range of frequencies
Most encountered in Army AV
Engines, drive shafts, transmissions, rotors and propellers
Impulse noise
Explosive noise
High intensity with low duration
Measured in milliseconds with less than 1 second in duration
Army noise criteria
The Surgeon General has established 85dB as max level of continuous unprotected exposure to steady-state noise for 8 hours
Army noise exposure criteria (chart)
8hrs - 85dB 4hrs - 90dB 2hrs - 95dB 1hr - 100dB 1/2hr - 105dB
Every 5 decibel increase, time exposure allowed cut in half
Types of hearing loss
*Conductive hearing loss - CAN be treated/fixed
Sensorineural hearing loss
Mixed
Conductive hearing loss
Defect or impediment in the external or middle ear
Impede with the mechanical transmission of sound to the inner ear
Sensorineural loss
When cochlea is damaged
Most frequently produced by noise
Occurs in the higher frequencies first
Could be associated with aging