20 Jun Stock Car Races – How Loud is it?
Noise induced hearing loss affects millions of people worldwide. Most often noise exposure goes unnoticed for many years as noise induced hearing loss occurs slowly. By the time hearing loss is noticed significant irreversible damage has often already occurred. Noise awareness and the use of hearing protection are crucial as noise induced hearing loss is preventable.
When exposed to loud sounds a noise-induced temporary threshold shift is the first effect experienced. This is a temporary decrease in hearing that may be accompanied by tinnitus, ringing in the ears. This decrease in hearing may last anywhere from minutes to days depending on the volume of the noise and duration of exposure. Over time and with repeated noise exposure the ear is unable to recover from temporary threshold shifts and permanent damage occurs. As a sound increases in volume the time permitted to spend in that environment decreases. This is referred to as the time-intensity trade off. In Canada, regulations have been set to prevent noise induced hearing loss. Nova Scotia noise regulations are based on the following:
|
Permitted Time (hours) |
Intensity (dB) |
|
8 |
85 |
|
4 |
88 |
|
2 |
91 |
|
1 |
94 |
|
0.5 |
97 |
|
0.25 |
100 |
As the volume of the sound increases the time spent should decrease to prevent noise induced hearing loss. Noise measurements have been taken at varies sites during stock car races and it is loud enough to damage hearing.
|
Source |
Max. Intensity (dB) |
Time Permitted |
|
In the stands |
96 |
38 minutes |
|
Driver |
114 |
35 seconds |
|
In the pit |
130 |
<1 second |
Even sitting in the stands it is recommended that hearing protection be worn consistently to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.
Get great info and FREE Hearing Protection – visit us at the Scotia Speedworld Grand Stand Entrance Friday June 22, 2012!!
