The temporary threshold shift of vibratory sensation induced by composite-band vibration exposure

Eight healthy subjects were exposed to three 1/3 octave-band vibrations (63, 200, and 500 Hz) by hand clasping a vibrated handle in a soundproof and thermoregulated room. The vibratory sensation threshold at 125 Hz was measured before and after the vibration exposure at an exposed fingertip. According to a preceding study, we first determined the relationship between the acceleration of the vibration and the temporary threshold shift of vibratory sensation immediately after the vibratory exposure (TTSv,0) induced by 1/3 octave-band vibration. We then measured TTSv after the exposure to a composite vibration composed of two 1/3 octave-band vibrations that might induce an equal magnitude of TTSv,0 on the basis of the above relationship. The TTSv,0 induced by the composite vibration was not larger than the TTSv,0 induced by the component vibrations. This result suggests that the component of the vibration inducing the largest TTSv,0 determines the TTSv,0 by broad-band random vibration.