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Published on: May 2, 2018
Noise exposure from leisure activities: a review
1Central Institute for the Deaf, St. Louis, Missouri 63110.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|July 1, 1991
Summary
Leisure activities like loud music and personal listening devices can harm hearing. Recreational hunting and target shooting pose the most significant risks to hearing health from nonoccupational noise exposure.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Environmental Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Growing concern over nonoccupational noise exposure and its impact on hearing over the last 20 years.
- Leisure activities are increasingly recognized as significant contributors to noise-induced hearing loss.
- Need for comprehensive review of common noisy leisure activities and their associated risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and analyze published studies on noise levels from common leisure activities.
- To assess the potential effects of these noise exposures on hearing.
- To identify the most significant sources of nonoccupational noise-related hearing risk.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of published literature on leisure noise.
- Analysis of noise level data from various recreational activities.
- Evaluation of reported hearing health outcomes associated with noise exposure.
Main Results:
- Common leisure activities including live/amplified music, personal listening devices, and home noise have potentially dangerous noise levels.
- Recreational hunting and target shooting were identified as the most serious threats to hearing.
- Significant noise exposure levels documented across multiple leisure pursuits.
Conclusions:
- Multiple leisure activities present a risk for hearing damage due to high noise levels.
- Recreational shooting activities represent the most critical risk factor for nonoccupational hearing loss.
- Public awareness and preventative measures are crucial for mitigating leisure noise-induced hearing damage.
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