Sensorineural hearing loss - 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 for CCPS 28 September 2001.
Investigative Documents
| Type | Title | PDF Format | Word Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claimant Report | Exposure to an Impulsive Noise - Sensorineural Hearing Loss |
Preliminary questions [1750]
13797 the veteran has been exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 130 dBA without adequate ear protection at some time.
1753 the veteran has established the causal connection between the impulsive noise exposure and VEA service for sensorineural hearing loss.
1754 the veteran has established the causal connection between the impulsive noise exposure and VEA service for the clinical onset of sensorineural hearing loss.
6332 the veteran has established the causal connection between the impulsive noise exposure and operational service for the clinical onset of sensorineural hearing loss.
or
6333 the veteran has established the causal connection between the impulsive noise exposure and eligible service for the clinical onset of sensorineural hearing loss.
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.
3945 the veteran has established the causal connection between the impulsive noise exposure and VEA service for the clinical worsening of sensorineural hearing loss.
6334 the veteran has established the causal connection between the impulsive noise exposure and operational service for the clinical worsening of sensorineural hearing loss.
or
6335 the veteran has established the causal connection between the impulsive noise exposure and eligible service for the clinical worsening of sensorineural hearing loss.
Clinical onset and operational service [6332]
1755 the veteran was exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 130 dBA without adequate ear protection before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
1756 on operational service, the veteran was exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 130 dBA without adequate ear protection before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
3225 the exposure to an impulsive noise of at least 130 dBA without adequate ear protection, on operational service, 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 [6333]
13082 the veteran has been exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 140 dBA without adequate ear protection.
3944 the veteran was exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 140 dBA without adequate ear protection before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
4198 on eligible service, the veteran was exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 140 dBA without adequate ear protection before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
3946 in the course of eligible service duties, the veteran was exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 140 dBA without adequate ear protection before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
3947 the exposure to an impulsive noise of at least 140 dBA without adequate ear protection, on eligible service, 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 [6334]
6330 the veteran was exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 130 dBA without adequate ear protection before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
20173 on operational service, the veteran was exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 130 dBA without adequate ear protection before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
20174 in the course of operational service duties, the veteran was exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 130 dBA without adequate ear protection before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
16736 the exposure to an impulsive noise of at least 130 dBA without adequate ear protection, on operational service, 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 [6335]
13082 the veteran has been exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 140 dBA without adequate ear protection.
6336 the veteran was exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 140 dBA without adequate ear protection before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
20175 on eligible service, the veteran was exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 140 dBA without adequate ear protection before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
20176 in the course of eligible service duties, the veteran was exposed to an impulsive noise of at least 140 dBA without adequate ear protection before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
16733 the exposure to an impulsive noise of at least 140 dBA without adequate ear protection, on eligible service, before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.