Individual hearing protection and audibility of acoustic signals
Lessing, G.; Sauer, U.
Zeitschrift für die Gesamte Hygiene und ihre Grenzgebiete 25(2): 113-117
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0049-8610 PMID: 433337 Document Number: 148924
Field studies on the disturbance value of tractor noise indicated that subjects with normal hearing experience no diminution of audibility of acoustic signals when wearing hearing protection. Some even noted an improvement (confirming other reports). In persons with impaired hearing there was a loss of audibility of the signals. The threshold for deterioration was approx. 15% hearing loss (Fowler-Sabine determination).