Immediate and long-term effect of rifle blast noise on transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions

Firing noise of small-arms is characterized by a rapid change in pressure and a sharp peak in sound pressure level of 155-170 dB SPL. In the present study, we examined the behavior of transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) of a group of soldiers exposed initially to the noise of small-arms fire during their basic training. The study included 15 soldiers and lasted 6 months. Measurements were performed before and immediately after two firing sessions, 2 weeks apart, and after 6 months. There was no significant difference between the audiograms that were measured prior to the noise exposure and those measured after 6 months. Wide-band TEOAE levels decreased over time, but the most significant decrease occurred between the two last sessions that were 5.5 months apart. No significant changes in TEOAE levels were observed before and immediately after exposure. However, at the high frequency range, an increase in TEOAE levels was observed in the third session relative to the previous one. During the 2 weeks after the first exposure, the soldiers were not exposed to noise. This TEOAE property might indicate the existence of a protective mechanism in the ear from traumatic harmful noise.