The effects of impulsive noise upon human hearing sensitivity (8 to 20 kHz)

The effects of impulsive noise exposure upon hearing sensitivity from 8000 to 20000 Hz were determined for a sample of 23 young military veterans. The subjects' histories consisted primarily of major incidents of weapons fire. Based on audiometric configuration, the subject sample was divided in two groups characterized by predominantly unilateral or bilateral shifts in threshold sensitivity. This division was consistent with history information. The main finding was extensive threshold shifts from 8000 to 20000 Hz which was highly individual-specific and unpredictable. High frequency audiometry frequently revealed extensive changes not evident in the 250 through 8000 Hz range.