Exposure to an impulsive noise

Tinnitus - Exposure to an impulsive noise Factor

The RMA defines impulsive noise as "noise which is characterised by a sharp rise and a rapid decay in sound levels and is less than one second in duration."

An explosion (grenades, mines or bombs) or the firing of a rifle, handgun or shotgun are all examples of impulsive noise. The key feature is the sudden change in sound pressure occurring with a pulsed noise.

If a rifle, handgun or shotgun is fired right next to your ear the noise level will be about 160+ dB. Artillery fire at 500 feet is around 150 dB. Fireworks at 3 feet are around 160 dB. An air raid with bombs going off in close proximity is around 130 dB. For other noises it depends very much on distance from the source, and you may need to seek expert advice. Physical requirements, duties, and workplace hazards of specific military occupations provides information about the scope and nature of work undertaken in many military occupations, including those with high levels of noise exposure. Note also that exposure must have occurred whilst the person was not wearing adequate ear protection.

Last reviewed by CCPS 10 June 2012.

Investigative Documents

Preliminary questions [2845]

13797 the veteran has been exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 130 dBA without adequate ear protection at some time.

13083  the veteran has established the causal connection between the impulsive noise exposure and VEA service for tinnitus.

13084   the veteran has established the causal connection between the impulsive noise exposure and VEA service for the clinical onset of tinnitus.

30371  the veteran has established the causal connection between the impulsive noise exposure and operational service for the clinical onset of tinnitus.

or

30372  the veteran has established the causal connection between the impulsive noise exposure and eligible service for the clinical onset of tinnitus.

or

7334     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.

7335     the condition under consideration permanently worsened.

13085   the veteran has established the causal connection between the impulsive noise exposure and VEA service for the clinical worsening of tinnitus.

30373  the veteran has established the causal connection between the impulsive noise exposure and operational service for the clinical worsening of tinnitus.

or

30374  the veteran has established the causal connection between the impulsive noise exposure and eligible service for the clinical worsening of tinnitus.

Clinical onset and operational service [30371]

13081 the veteran was exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 130 dBA without adequate ear protection within the 48 hours immediately before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

13086 on operational service, the veteran was exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 130 dBA without adequate ear protection within the 48 hours immediately before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

13089 the exposure to an impulsive noise of at least 130 dBA without adequate ear protection, on operational service, within the 48 hours immediately before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.

Clinical onset and eligible service [30372]

13082 the veteran has been exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 140 dBA without adequate ear protection.

30375 the veteran was exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 140 dBA without adequate ear protection within the 48 hours immediately before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

13087 on eligible service, the veteran was exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 140 dBA without adequate ear protection within the 48 hours immediately before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

13088 in the course of eligible service duties, the veteran was exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 140 dBA without adequate ear protection within the 48 hours immediately before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

13090 the exposure to an impulsive noise of at least 140 dBA without adequate ear protection, on eligible service, within the 48 hours immediately before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.

Clinical worsening and operational service [30373]

30376 the veteran was exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 130 dBA without adequate ear protection within the 48 hours immediately before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

30377 on operational service, the veteran was exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 130 dBA without adequate ear protection within the 48 hours immediately before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

30378 in the course of operational service duties, the veteran was exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 130 dBA without adequate ear protection within the 48 hours immediately before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

30379 the exposure to an impulsive noise of at least 130 dBA without adequate ear protection, on operational service, within the 48 hours immediately before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.

Clinical worsening and eligible service [30374]

13082 the veteran has been exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 140 dBA without adequate ear protection.

30380 the veteran was exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 140 dBA without adequate ear protection within the 48 hours immediately before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

30381 on eligible service, the veteran was exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 140 dBA without adequate ear protection within the 48 hours immediately before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

30382 in the course of eligible service duties, the veteran was exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 140 dBA without adequate ear protection within the 48 hours immediately before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

30383 the exposure to an impulsive noise of at least 140 dBA without adequate ear protection, on eligible service, within the 48 hours immediately before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.