[Noise exposure of the ear during surgery (author's transl)]

We measured the noise generated by three vacuum pipes with different inner diameters in the external ear canal with a probe microphone. The highest level was generated by the largest pipe when solid material blocked part of the entrance. Then we measured peak levels up to 140 dB-C. Such levels generate only low Leq but due to their high on-off ratios they may be dangerous to the ear if repeatedly applied.