EPA-600/1-75-001
MARCH 1975
Environmental Health Effects Research Series
Federal Noise Effects Research:
FY 73 - FY 75
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
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RESEARCH REPORTING SERIES
Research reports of the Office of Research and Development, Environ-
mental Protection Agency, have been grouped into five series. These
five broad categories were established to facilitate further develop-
ment and application of environmental technology. Elimination of
traditional grouping was consciously planned to foster technology
transfer and a maximum interface in related fields. The five series
are:
1. Environmental Health Effects Research
2. Environmental Protection Technology
3. Ecological Research
4. Environmental Monitoring
5. Socioeconomic Environmental Studies
This report has been assigned to the ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH EFFECTS
RESEARCH series. This series describes projects and studies relating
to the tolerances of man for unhealthful substances or conditions.
This work is generally assessed from a medical viewpoint, including
physiological and psychological studies. In addition to toxicology
and other medical specialities, study areas include biomedical instru-
mentation and health research techniques utilizing animals-but always
with intended application to human health measures.
This report has been reviewed by the Office of Research and Development,
Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the
views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does
mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement
or recommendation for use.
Document is available to the public through the National Technical
Information Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151.
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Report 600/1-75-001
March 1975
FEDERAL NOISE EFFECTS RESEARCH -
FY 73-FY 75
Prepared by
Interagency Noise Effects Research Panel
ROAP 21AXV
Program Element 1GB090
Project Office:
Noise Technology Staff
Office of Research & Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
Prepared for
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development
Washington, D.C. 20460
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ABSTRACT
Potential effects of noise on the public health and welfare are
described, limitations and gaps in necessary knowledge of those effects
are identified as research needs, and eight categories for analyzing
noise effects research are presented. The current Federal research
programs are summarized for each of the eight categories.
The Noise Effects Research Panel through its collective knowledge
of the needs and the current research has identified specific research
areas which need additional emphasis in order to provide accurate and
thorough information on effects of noise. The Panel concluded that
the current programs need continued and in some instances expanded
support in order to provide necessary information on the effects of
noise. Some areas of concern which are not currently being addressed
are also identified.
ii
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
FEDERAL NOISE EFFECTS RESEARCH
Section Page
I. SUMMARY 1
II. INTRODUCTION 2
A. Purpose and Scope 3
B. Effects of Noise 5
C. Current Federal Information on Noise Effects 7
D. Research Needs 9
E. Research Categories 14
III. SUMMARY OF CURRENT PROGRAMS 16
A. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss 16
B. Non-Auditory Health Effects 19
C. Individual Behavior Effects 20
D. Noise Effects on Sleep 21
E. Communication Interference 23
F. Community or Collective Response 25
6. Domestic Animals and Wildlife 25
H. Measurement Methodology and Calibration 25
IV. CONCLUSIONS 27
A. Summary of Discussions 27
B. Research Needing Additional Emphasis 27
C. Future Panel Activities 27
(Cont.)
iii
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APPENDICES • Page
A. Glossary A-l
B. Federal Agency Acronyms B-l
C. Noise Research Panel Members C-l
Do Description of Programs and Projects D-l
E. Projects Listing by Agency E-l
F. Projects Listing by Category F-l
6. Addendum 6-1
iv
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TABLES
Number Page
II-l Categories of Noise Effects Research 15
III-l Noise Effects Research Funding by Category 17
III-2 Noise Effects Research Funding by Agency 17
III-3 Current Agency Involvement in Research Categories 18
III-4 Federal Research Funding for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss 20
III-5 Federal Research Funding for Non-Auditory Health Effects
of Noise 20
III-6 Federal Research Funding for Individual Behavior Effects
of Noise . 22
III-7 Federal Research Funding for Noise Effects on Sleep 22
III-8 Federal Research Funding for Communications Interference
of Noise 24
III-9 Federal Research Funding for Community or Collective
Response to Noise 24
111-10 Federal Research Funding for Noise Measurement Method-
ology and Calibration 26
>.
IV-1 Summary of Noise Effects Research Needs by Category 28
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I. SUMMARY
Potential effects of noise on the public health and welfare are
described, limitations and gaps in necessary knowledge of those effects
are identified as research needs, and eight categories for analyzing
noise effects research are presented. The current Federal programs
are summarized for each of the eight categories, and research needing
additional emphasis is identified.
Known or suspected effects of noise discussed included effects on
hearing, other effects which may (or may not) lead to permanent health
impairment, effects on behavior such as performance or annoyance,
speech and other communication interference, sleep disturbance, social/
economic/political/legal/behavioral community responses, and effects on
animals. Cause-effect relationships, however, have been identified by
the Federal government only for hearing, annoyance, and speech interfer-
ence. The information identified in these three areas is also discussed.
Limitations in this information and lack of information in other areas
are shown and research needed to provide thorough and accurate informa-
tion on all effects of noise is identified. Such information is
necessary for setting standards for protection of public health and
welfare, assessment of the benefits to be derived from noise reduction
in light of the costs, assurance of safe, productive work environments
and adequate communications, and decisions at all levels affecting the
quality of life. A way of categorizing current and needed noise effects
research is presented. The current Federally-supported noise effects
research is summarized for each of eight categories.
Although an in-depth analysis and assessment of the current Federal
noise effects programs is not made, the Noise Effects Research Panel
through its collective knowledge of the needs and the current research
has identified specific research subjects which need additional emphasis
in order to provide accurate and thorough information on effects of
noise. These include subjects not currently receiving enough attention
and those not currently being addressed. It is further pointed out that
the current programs need continued and in some instances expanded
support in order to provide necessary information on effects of noise.
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II. INTRODUCTION
EPA has established four noise research panels consisting of
representatives from Government departments and agencies to provide
informational exchange, a forum for interagency discussion, and advice
to aid EPA in its role as coordinator of Federal noise research in
accordance with the Noise Control Act of 1972. The panels and panel
membership reflect the major thrusts of the Federal noise research
programs as follows:
Noise Research Panel Current Agency Membership*
Aircraft NASA, DOT, DOD, HUD, DOC, EPA
Surface Vehicles DOT, HUD, DOD, DOC(NBS), EPA
Noise Effects** HEW (NINDS, NIOSH, NIEHS), DOT, NSF,
HUD, NASA, DOD, DOL, DOC(NBS),EPA
Machinery HEW (NIOSH), DOI(Bureau of Mines),
DOD, DOL, DOC(NBS), NSF.
These panels provide the formal mechanisms for interagency consider-
ation, review and assessment of research in the four technical areas.
The primary functions of the panels in their respective areas are:
- Review and assessment of the state of science and technology
relating to noise.
- Review and assessment of the status of noise research and
technology development.
Identification of technology gaps and research needs.
Preparation of recommendations concerning ongoing research
activities.
- Receipt and review of pertinent scientific and programmatic
advice from communicating with other standing bodies and
experts in the field of noise.
Noise effects includes not only health effects of noise such as
hearing loss, but also many other known or suspected effects of noise
on the well-being of humans and animals such as interference with
* Glossary of Agency Acronyms in Appendix B.
** List of Noise Effects Panel Members in Appendix C.
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communication, disturbance of sleep, annoyance, and any other results of
noise exposure which can affect the quality of life,, For the purposes
of this report and this research panel, the term "noise effects" does
not include effects on structures or other inanimate objects.
A. PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This is the first report prepared by the Noise Effects Research
Panel. It will serve as an information base for developing a coordinated
national plan for research leading to needed information on the effects
of noise. Such information relating the various effects of noise to
the physical characteristics of noise exposure such as level, frequency,
and duration, as well as to the psychological content of the noise is
needed for several reasons. These cause-effect relationships provide
the necessary bases for setting standards to protect the public health
and welfare, the data for assessing the benefits of noise reduction in
light of the costs, and guidelines for personal and Government decisions
affecting the quality of life.
A coordinated national plan with the various involved agencies
working in cooperation can achieve the following objectives:
- research funds targeted on critical problems and issues
coordinated and complementary efforts
- research accomplished in the most productive and
scientifically viable manner.
To develop such an overall plan, limitations and gaps in the current
understanding of the effects of noise must be identified. The current
programs must be examined to determine which subject areas are not being
adequately addressed. Programs and projects can then be identified for
correcting inadequacies and addressing the gaps. The agencies' capabili-
ties for and interests in undertaking these programs and projects can
also be determined. Finally, priorities of research needs must be
established. Then a national plan for noise effects research can be
developed in a meaningful manner. To this end, the report specifically •
addresses:
- Effects of noise
- Current Federal information on effects of noise
Limitations in the information and research needs
- A way of classifying noise effects research
- The current Federally-supported noise effects research
- Research needing additional emphasis.
The report does not consider:
- The adequacy of current research
- Detailed programs and projects for addressing gaps
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- Capabilities of various agencies for addressing research gaps
Priorities of research needs
- Development of a coordinated national plan.
This document also will be used by the Environmental Protection
Agency to satisfy Section 4(c)(3) of the Noise Control Act of 1972.
EPA is required to report on the status and progress of Federal activities
relating to noise research and control and to assess the contribution
of such activities to the Federal Government's overall efforts to control
noise0
Activity for fiscal year (FY)1974 is emphasized, program continuation
through fiscal year 1975 is noted where possible, and funding and work
carried out during fiscal year 1973 is reported.
The data on which the report is based came from two sources, agencies'
responses to a 1972 request* from EPA on Federal noise activities, and
information supplied by the panel members in the spring of 1974. The
fiscal data is reported consistent with each agency's budgetary process.
As there are variations in the way agencies report the costs for their
in-house research, exact comparisons between agencies' fiscal data cannot
be made. A chart illustrating this problem is contained in Appendix D.
The data for FY 75 estimated funding is incomplete for two reasons.
First, the DOD computer data base used to generate the agency fiscal data
did not include FY 75 estimates. Therefore,, at the D0D panel member's
suggestion, the FY 75 levels have been estimated the same as FY 74.
Secondly, NSF carries out research only through unsolicited grants. Thus,
is it impossible for NSF to predict what research proposals may be receiv-
ed and funded.
Care must also be exercised in examining project and program titles
and funding. Titles often do not convey the extent and kind of research
being funded and convey no information of the scope of work. Thus,
similar titles may involve very different work scopes and furthermore
may not mean the subject is being adequately addressed.
•
Conclusions and recommendations made in this report are the collec-
tive opinions of the panel members and do not necessarily represent their
agencies' policies.
*In December of 1972, a questionnaire survey of Federal noise research
and noise control activities was initiated by EPA. A contract report
was prepared from this data in October 1973 but was not published.
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B. EFFECTS OF NOISE
Exposure to noise may have various effects on the public health and
welfare. Some of these are well-known but the complexity of both expos-
ure and response has prevented definitive cause-effect relationships in
many areas. Other effects are suspected but not yet well-proven.
1. Hearing Damage
It has been well established that noise exposure of sufficient
intensity and duration can produce hearing damage. Hearing loss result-
ing from intense noise exposure can either be temporary or permanent.
In general, it is believed that noise of brief exposure that can produce
a significant temporary hearing loss or threshold shift is capable of
producing permanent hearing loss if the noise exposure is extended in
duration or recurrence. That is, daily exposure to a noise which
produces a temporary hearing loss presents a risk of permanent hearing
loss because the ear may not be able to fully recover to its original
threshold from recurrent exposures. The exact relationship between
temporary and permanent hearing loss, however, is not yet. clearly defined.
Hearing loss which is caused by noise occurs first in the high
frequency ranges. This impacts seriously on speech understanding, and
good hearing in the higher frequencies is necessary for discriminating
the information-carrying, consonant sounds of human speech. Hearing loss
is known to result from exposures to: continuous noise in industrial
settings, impulsive sound, gunfire, and loud music for extended periods,
the last is found especially among young people. The effect from
fluctuating, intermittent or shorter-term exposures is not completely
understood.
2. Other Health Effects
The only permanent adverse effect upon health from noise exposure
that is well-established is noise-induced hearing loss. However, there
is evidence, although incomplete, to indicate other effects can result
from exposure of sufficient intensity and duration. Noise can alter
the function of the endocrine, cardiovascular and neurologic systems.
It may effect equilibrium and may produce changes such as: constriction
of blood vessels in the body and vaso-dilation in the brain, rise in
blood pressure and changes in heart rhythm, and change in rate of stomach
acid secretions. Noise also has been shown to produce the same physio-
logical reactions as other stressors, such as emotional stress and pain.
There is not clear evidence, however, to indicate that continued activa-
tion of any of these responses leads to irreversible changes and permanent
health effects.
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3. Behavior Effects
When a task requires the use of auditory signals, noise that masks
these signals will interfere with the performance of the task. High
level continuous noise exposures appear to have potentially detrimental
effects on human performance, particularly vigilance tasks, information
gathering, and analytical processes. Noise may also increase the
variability of work rate and affect the accuracy of work requiring
mental concentration. Additionally, noise may be disruptive of per-
formance if the noise is high frequency, intermittent, or unexpected.
Noise throughout the audible range can, under various circumstances,
be annoying and disruptive of activity. However, prediction of individ-
ual annoyance due to noise is difficult, probably due to the many
psychological and social factors that contribute to individual sensitivity.
4. Sleep Interference
Noise can interfere with sleep by preventing sleep, by causing
awakening,, and by changing the level or pattern of sleep. Any of- these
kinds of interference may have effects on behavior and performance during
waking hours as well as long term health effects if repeated. Survey
data indicate that sleep disturbance is often the principal reason given
for annoyance, and some experts believe that sleep disturbance is one of
the mout severe effects of noise on health.
5. Communication Interference
In addition to the reduced understanding of speech resulting from
noise-induced hearing loss, noise can interfere directly with speech
communications. Verbal communication in terms of noise level and vocal
effort is extremely difficult in backgrounds of high noise level and
can adversely affect the accuracy, frequency, and quality of verbal
exchange. This can be important in formal education in schools, occupa-
tional efficiency, family life patterns, and quality of relaxation.
6. Community Reaction
The preceding effects of noise all deal with various effects on
individuals, although statistical descriptors must be used to average
out individual differences in reaction or response. However, when a
community of individuals is exposed, a different kind of reaction may
take place. This reaction may take several forms such as complaints to
authorities, political action against noisy activities, reduction in
land values or socio-economic level, high property turnover rates, or
changes in family recreational patterns. Thus the consequences of
community response to noise can be social, political, and economic, as
well as the collective individual responses noted above. To date, only
community annoyance responses to aircraft noise have been studied
extensively and have been shown to correlate well with noise exposure.
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The number of complaints due to noise in a community, however, is small
in comparison to the number of people annoyed.
7. Effects on Animals
In general, noise has the same types of effects on animals as it does
on humans. Hearing loss and physiologic changes have been noted in
laboratory animals. Possible effects on farm animals include changes in
size, weight, reproductivity, and behavior. Changes in mating behavior,
predator-prey relationships, and territorial behavior have been observed
in some wildlife species exposed to noise.
C. CURRENT FEDERAL INFORMATION ON NOISE EFFECTS
There are at present three informational documents relative to
health effects from noise exposure which have been published by Federal
agencies. The first to be published was "Criteria for a Recommended
Standard...Occupational Exposure to Noise" in 1972 by the National Insti-
tute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Department of Health,
Education and Welfare. This was in accordance with Section 20(4)(3) of
the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 656). In 1973,
the Environmental Protection Agency published "Public Health and Welfare
Criteria for Noise" in accordance with Section 5(a)(l) of the Noise Control
Act of 1972 (PL 92-574). In addition, Section 5(a)(2) of the same act
called for a document identifying environmental noise level goals. That
document, "Information on Levels of Environmental Noise Requisite to Pro-
tect the Health and Welfare with an Adequate Margin of Safety" (EPA Levels
Document) which was published in March 1974, along with the EPA Criteria
Document, are to serve as the basis for establishing standards and regula-
tions called for by the Noise Control Act.
N,
The NIOSH document, specifically directed to the occupational environ-
ment, presented information about various effects of noise exposure, but
information for support of their recommended standard was available only in
the area of noise-induced hearing loss. The EPA "Public Health and Welfare
Criteria for Noise" defines criteria as "descriptions of cause and effect
relationships." The document addressed direct effects of noise on the
physical and mental well-being of human populations, including hearing loss
and other health effects, and indirect effects such as annoyance and commu-
nication interference, .as..well as noise effects on,wildlife and other animals,
Nevertheless, EPA identified only three areas for which criteria exist.
According to the EPA Levels Document,
"There are a multitude of adverse effects that can be
caused by noise which may, both directly or indirectly,
affect public health and welfare. However, there are
only three categories of adverse relationships in which
the cause/effect relationships are adequately known and
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can be justifiably used to identify levels of
environmental noise for protection of public
health and welfare. These are; (1) the effect
of noise on hearing, (2) the effect of noise
on the general mental state as evidenced by
annoyance, and (3) the interference of noise
with specific activities."
Although information in these three areas was presented in the EPA
Criteria Document and used in the EPA Levels Document, both documents
indicated limitations in the information. A short description of the
current Federal information in each of the three areas, as contained by
the three documents, is presented below.
1. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
The Criteria Document produced by NIOSH for employee protection
during the work period addressed recommendations for a work place standard
to protect against hearing impairment. No attempt is made toward the
protection of the worker from non-auditory effects of noise exposure;
however, the producers of this document have stated that meeting proposed
criteria for the protection of auditory effects will reduce the risk of
non-auditory effects. Thus, the major aim of this document is to recom-
mend and support a work place noise exposure standard for the protection
of hearing, i.e., that the effective noise level permitted during a
normal eight hour work period should not exceed 90 dBA for the time being
and should be reduced to 85 when technologically feasible. At this time
the Department of Labor has proposed a revised standard with the 90 dBA
eight hour exposure level and hearing conservation measures beginning
at 85 dBA. In support of the NIOSH recommendation, incidence of hearing
impairment was compared between noise exposed and non-noise exposed
employee groups of comparable ages and experience.
The EPA Criteria Document presented information for predicting
permanent hearing loss resulting from exposure to continuous noise of
certain levels for eight hours a day over 10 and 40 years. The information,
like the NIOSH criteria, also compared noise exposed and non-noise exposed
employee groups. Further, like the NIOSH document, the EPA criteria is
based only on industrial exposures.
The EPA Levels Document used this information to identify noise
levels requisite to protect the human population from significant noise-
induced hearing loss with an adequate margin of safety. The levels
identified do not include consideration of economic and technological
feasibility and thus should not be construed as Federal standards.
In identifying its level for protection against hearing loss,
however, EPA found certain limitations in the available data. Thus, EPA
had to extrapolate from industrial exposure data to community noise as it
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affects hearing, from eight hour exposure to 24 hour environmental expos-
ure, and from exposure data mainly above 80 dBA to levels below 80.
2. Community Annoyance
Although community reaction to noise may be evidenced by social or
economic measures as well as political or legal action, the available
information, as reported in the EPA Criteria Document, deals mainly with
statistical surveys of annoyance. The document concluded, among other
things, that (1) "the degree of annoyance due to noise exposure expressed
by the population average for a community is highly correlated to the
magnitude of noise exposure in the community," and (2) "the numbers of
complaints about noise registered with the authorities is small compared
to the number of people annoyed, or who wish to complain. However, the
number of actual complaints is highly correlated with the proportion of
people in the community who express high annoyance." The EPA Levels
Document used this available information about community annoyance to
supplement speech interference data, discussed in the next section.
3. Communication Interference
The EPA Criteria Document identified data which predict fairly
accurately how noise will affect the perception of speech in the outdoor
environment. The data represents conditions in which talker and listener
speak the same dialect and presumably hear normally. The document also
indicated that data are available in the literature to suggest a reasonable
background noise level for the design of rooms where oral communication is
important.
The EPA Levels Document used these data to identify levels of noise
requisite to protect public health and welfare against activity interfer-
ence with an adequate margin of safety, since "the primary effect of noise
on human health and welfare due to interference with activity comes from
its effect on speech communication." The document also identified speech
interference as one of the primary reasons for adverse community reactions
to noise and long-term annoyance. It is again important to note that the
levels thus identified to protect against activity interference do not
include consideration of economic and technological feasibility and thus
should not be construed as Federal standards.
D. RESEARCH NEEDS
Although information has been identified and/or used in three Federal
documents for three of the many known or suspected effects of noise, the
documents plainly pointed out the limitations and deficiencies in the
available information. The lack of necessary information on other effects
of noise was also discussed as well as the lack of methodologies available
to adequately relate the noise exposures to the effects. Even though
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there are many gaps in today's knowledge on the effects of noise, some
states and many local governments are in the process of setting noise
limits in regulations/ordinances to reduce noise. Accurate and compre-
hensive information relating noise and other contributing factors to
all its effects is needed to insure that the extent of the reductions
is appropriate, and that the reductions may be accomplished with minimum
expenditures of public and private money. Such information is also
needed to assess the cost of noise reduction in light of benefits a,nd
to provide guidelines for personal decisions affecting the quality of
life or corporate decisions affecting working conditions. Limitations
in or lack of needed information on the various effects of noise are
discussed below.
The research needs discussed are for information on which to base
protection of public health and welfare in the general sense. It is
important to note that in comparing these general needs with the research
conducted by the various agencies, it should be remembered that specific
agency missions dictate the research that agency conducts and supports,
and that specific research projects, while fulfilling an important agency
objective, may not be specifically directed toward fulfilling one or more.
of the general needs discussed below.
1. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
The current Federal information on noise-induced hearing loss, as
presented in both the NIOSH and the EPA Criteria Document and used in
support of the NIOSH recommended standard and the EPA identified levels,
is based on several cross-sectional industrial studies that have been
criticized for various reasons. These criticisms include: insufficient
determination of daily noise exposure, problems i,n or lack of screening
for evidence of ear disease, inconsistent test practices, audiological
testing in noisy areas, and audiological testing without sufficient time
for recovery from temporary hearing loss. The studies also mainly
considered continuous eight hour exposures. Thus, there is limited
information on intermittent or partial daily exposures and practically
no data on exposure to noise beyond an eight hour period. Inconclusive
information exists as to whether older people or younger ones are more
susceptible to noise-induced hearing loss. Little evidence is available
on exposures to various other types of noise, such as impulsive noise,
ultrasound, and infrasound. Little is known, also, about the effects on
hearing of the combination of noise and other factors such as heat,
vibration, and ototoxic (hearing damaging) drugs and chemicals.
2. Health Effects Other Than Hearing Loss
The EPA Criteria Document identified several short-term physiological
effects which may result from noise exposure. It is known that noise can
elicit different physiological responses, but there is not clear evidence
to indicate that continued activation of these responses leads to irrever-
sible changes and permanent health effects. Adequate scientific data are
10
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not available to confirm or refute speculations that noise may be a
contributor to circulatory difficulties or heart diseases. There are
not any well-established data relating noise exposure to fatigue or
insomnia, even though it is believed that noise exposure can contribute
to these factors. Noise has been considered to be detrimental to the
recovery of hospital patients.
Although noise exposure, either alone or in conjunction with other
!stressors, is presumed to cause general stress, neither the threshold
noise level nor duration at which stress may appear has been adequately
! determined. Further, the effects of chronic noise-produced stress are
not known.
Thus, some indicators of potential effects of noise on health have
been studied and some have shown definite cause-effect relationships over
the short term. Quantitative relationships need to be determined for
many indicators of noise effects on health, and all potential effects of
noise on health must be studied over the long term. Clear relationships
between noise exposure and its potential effects on health must be proved
or disproved, so that decisions - government, corporate, or private - may
be made on protection of health from noise.
3. Effects on Individual Behavior
Most information available on individual behavior effects of noise
concerns either performance or annoyance. Noise is also considered as
contributing to other behavior effects such as irritability, instability,
argumentativeness, reduction in sex drive, anxiety, and nervousness, but
quantitative evidence is lacking in these areas.
Although effects of noise on performance have been shown in the
laboratory, little work has been done in real-life situations. As per-
formance effects of noise could be significant and costly in today's
economy, there is a pressing need for field studies under typical condi-
tions. The information derived is needed for determining the extent of
noise reduction that is cost-beneficial in performance situations.
As individual annoyance in response to noise can lead to the economic
or social effects or the political or legal actions discussed under
community reaction, as well as to general effects on mental or physical
health, a better understanding is needed of the factors that control the
degree of annoyance of individuals. Further, as most of the available
information on noise/annoyance relationships deal mainly with conventional
aircraft noise, annoyance in response to other major sources of noise,
as well as new and future aircraft, needs to be determined.
Other behavioral effects of noise mentioned above are less clear-cut
and noise is but one of many factors which could contribute to these
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effects. These effects, however, are serious indicators of reduction in
quality of life and could be significant contributors to deterioration
of mental and physical health. The relationship of noise to these effects
as well as the relative contribution of noise in combination with other
causes needs to be determined in order.that government, corporate, or
private decisions may be made concerning health and the quality of life.
40 Effects on Sleep
Disturbance of sleep by noise resulting in changes in level, patterns,
or quality of sleep, or even awakening may affect behavior during waking
hours and cause long-term health effects. Most of the available infor-
mation on effects of sleep interference, according to the EPA Criteria
Document, "comes from laboratory experiments that involve very few
people, and 'responses' are evaluated in terms of physiological measure-
ments such as EEC" (electroencephalogram, a measure of electrical voltages
in the brain). As it is difficult to generalize from the laboratory to
real-life conditions, but also very costly to study sleep in everyday
settings, both types of studies are needed to develop definitive relation-
ships between noise from various sources and its effects on sleep, both
in the short-term and long-term.
5. Communication Interference
The available information concerning a cause-effect relationship
for noise interference with speech represents conditions for normally
hearing young male adults speaking the same dialect, when they are in
a non-reverberant noise field, whereas the actual cause-effect relation-
ship may change with many variables. The EPA Criteria Document states,
"lower noise levels would be required if the talker has imprecise speech
(poor articulation) or if the talker and the listener speak different
dialects. Children have less precise speech than do adults, and their
relative lack of knowledge of language often makes them less able to
'hear1 speech when some of the cues in the speech stream are lost. Thus,
adequate speech communication with children requires lower noise levels
than are required for adults. One's ability to understand partially-
masked or distorted speech seems to begin to deteriorate about age 30
and declines steadily thereafter. Generally, the older the listener,
the lower the background must be for nearly normal communication...it
is known that persons with hearing losses require more favorable speech-
to-noise ratios than do those with normal hearing." The data available
have no information on the reception of female speech or on the effect
of time-varying noise on speech understanding. Quantitative data are
lacking which show how all these variables affect the relationship
between noise and interference with speech.
The available data on speech interference furthermore do not account
for the reverberant buildup of sound by reflections from the walls of a
room, and thus are not valid for design criteria. According to the EPA
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Levels Document, "Recommended values for acceptable sound levels in various
types of spaces have been suggested by a number of authors over the past
two decades. These recommendations generally have taken into consideration
such factors as speech intelligibility and subjective judgments of space
occupants. However, the final values recommended were largely the result
of judgments on the part of the authors..."
Finally, noise can interfere with the reception of auditory warning
signals. However, there are little data to show how loud the signal should
be in various noise fields in order to effectively perform its safety
function.
Research is needed in order to quantify design criteria which can
assure proper reception of speech and warning signals in a variety of
situations, e.g., in offices, schools, workplaces, and recreational areas,
and for a variety of human characteristics, such as poor or dialectic
speech, age, and hearing ability.
6. Community Response
Although information is available relating noise exposure fairly well
to community annoyance and resulting complaints to authorities, the data
are based mainly on responses to conventional takeoff and landing aircraft
noise. The information needs to be expanded to include response to other
environmental noise sources, such as vertical or short takeoff and landing
aircraft, military aircraft and other vehicles, industrial plants, surface
transportation, construction equipment, home appliances, and more. Since
annoyance has been shown to lead to complaints, not only does its relation
to these other sources of noise need to be studied, but also its relation
and the relation of noise exposure to responses such as legal or political
actions, change in land values, neighborhood stability, feeling of community,
and other social or economic measures. Studies are also needed to determine
effect on overall community health and other possible group responses.
These relationships are needed to provide input for local government decis-
ions on land-use, corporate decisions on plant location, and private
decisions on home and recreational locations, to name a few.
7. Effects on Animals
Although some studies have indicated that noise affects animals in the
laboratory in the same way as humans, and behavior changes resulting from
noise have been observed in some wildlife species, few quantitative cause-
effect relationships have been established. Relationships between noise
and changes in reproduction, weight.gain, egg and milk production, for
example, should be determined so that the economic benefits of reducing
the noise exposure of domestic animals may be evaluated. Further, the
effect on wildlife is important for preservation of endangered species and
conservation and thus should be determined.
13
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8. Measurement
Determination of definitive, quantitative cause-effect relationships
demands accurate and reproducible measurement of both cause and effect.
Further, the appropriate characteristics of noise must be emphasized in
terms of the various effects, but at the same time, inexpensive instru-
mentation and easily used methods must be available for characterizing
the noise environment and for enforcement.
Thus, instrumentation needs to be developed for monitoring noise
exposures and standard methodologies developed for characterizing
various noise environments and sources in terms of their possible
effects. To refine and support hearing loss data, audiometric instru-
mentation, methodologies, and calibration procedures need to be improved.
Finally, a national baseline of community noise levels is needed in
order to compare various communities in terms of noise levels and to
determine whether the overall nati6nal noise levels are improving or
deteriorating.
E. RESEARCH CATEGORIES
To address, analyze, and make recommendations effectively on noise
effects research in terms of the needs identified above, a system for
classifying the research had to be devised. Such a system has been
developed by the Noise Effects Research Panel. By consensus, the Panel
identified the eight major categories outlined in Table II-1.
14
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Table II-l
CATEGORIES OF NOISE EFFECTS RESEARCH
I. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
A. Epidemlologic
B. Human
C. Animal
D. Mechanisms of Hearing Loss
E. Protection
II. Non-Auditory Health Effects
A. Epidemiologic
B. Human
C. Animal
III. Individual Behavior Effects
A. Annoyance
B. Performance
C. Other
IV. Noise Effects on Sleep
V. Communication Interference
A. Speech Communication
B. Effectiveness of Auditory
Warning Signals in the
Presence of Noise
VI. Community or Collective Response
VII. Domestic Animals and Wildlife
VIII. Measurement Methodology, and Calibration
A. Noise Environment
B. Noise Source Characterization
C. Audiometry
15
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III. SUMMARY OF CURRENT PROGRAMS
The current Federal research programs and projects on effects of
noise address all but one of the research categories identified in
Table II-1. At the present time there is no ongoing research reported
on the effects of noise on domestic animals and wildlife. The funding
for research in the other categories, however, is presented in Table III-l.
Table III-2 shows the overall effort of each agency in effects of noise,
and Table III-3 relates each agency's involvement in categories of
research. The following discussions summarize the current effort of the
Federal government in addressing the research needs in each category of
noise effects research. Each agency's current program is described in
Appendix D.
A. NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS
Noise has long been known as a contributor to hearing loss, and
many studies in the past few decades have attempted to establish a
definitive cause-effect relationship, particularly in the occupational
environment. However, the effects of different types of noise and
exposure patterns are still not well understood. Variations in suscept-
ibility due to age, drugs, and environmental factors further complicate
the problems.
The need for knowledge about noise-induced hearing loss is reflected
in the current fiscal data. Almost $1.4 million, over one-quarter -of the
total Federal expenditures on health effects of noise, was spent on
noise-induced hearing loss research in FY 74. Current research programs
in this area, carried out by five different agencies, are addressing
the following specific problems:
- Cross-sectional studies in various environments
(occupational, military, recreational, etc.).
- Relationships between permanent and temporary
threshold shifts.
- Susceptibility to hearing loss.
- Combination of noise and other stressors
(work, heat, vibration, etc.).
- Combination with ototoxic drugs, other ototoxic
agents, and abnormal physiology.
- Effects on children.
- Impulse noise, intermittent noise, and high
intensity noise.
16
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Table III-l
NOISE EFFECTS RESEARCH FUNDING BY CATEGORY
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category FY 73 FY 74 FY 75*
Noise -Induced Hearing Loss
Non-Auditory Health Effects
Individual Behavior Effects
Noise Effects on Sleep
Communication Interference
Community or Collective Response
Domestic Animals and Wildlife
Measurement Methodology and
Calibration
TOTALS
1,084
126
381
217
275
410
0
1,073
3,566
1,366
294
361
254
316
821
0
1,344
4,756
1,979
61
443
159
296
1,114
0
916
4,968*
Table III-2
NOISE EFFECTS RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Thousands of Dollars)
Agency FY 73 FY 74 FY 75*
HEW(NINDS) 526 622 1,157
HEW(NIEHS) 153 258 239
HEW.(NIOSH) 395 507 481
DOD 984 930 930*
NASA 1,127 1,154 1,200
DOT 50 130 50
NSF 20 0 0
DOC.(NBS) 98 117 142
HUD 117 638 460
EPA 24 377 309
DOlXfiuMines) 72 23 0
TOTALS 3,566 4,756 4,968*
*DOD FY 75 Estimated the same as FY 74
17
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Table III-3
CURRENT AGENCY INVOLVEMENT IN RESEARCH CATEGORIES
Research
Category
Noise- Induced
Hearing Loss
Non-auditory
Health Effects
Individual Behavior
Effects
Noise Effects
on Sleep
Conmiunicat ion
Interference
Community or
Collective
Response
Domestic Animals
and Wildlife
Measurement
Methodology and
Calibration
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
MM J
18
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- Permanent effects of occupational and longer
environmental exposures.
- Mechanisms of hearing loss (biochemical, physio-
logical, etc.).
- Hearing protection.
Funding levels for noise-induced hearing loss research are shown in
Table III-4.
B. NON-AUDITORY HEALTH EFFECTS
Many studies have been conducted which tend to indicate noise to be
a cause of numerous non-auditory health effects in humans which might
influence physical or mental health. These include: orientation and
startle reflexes, disturbed sense of balance, pain, and general stress.
One cannot rule out the possibility that noise exposure may pose some
non-auditory health hazard if no attempt is made to reduce individual
exposure to noise. Caution must be exercised in interpreting the results
of studies in this area, however, for controls are exceptionally difficult
to exercise. It is also extremely difficult to quantify the non-auditory
health effects of noise because of the following complexities and
conditions: the wide variety of conditions and mental states involved
in personal health; the complexity of the human body and the human mental
function; individual and temporal variations in susceptibility to physical
and mental health conditions; and the occurrence of noise in combination
with other stresses.
x
Despite many questions that cannot now be answered regarding the
non-auditory health effects of noise, Federal expenditures in this category
have been modest. Current and recent research in this category, conducted
by four different agencies, address the following problems:
- Worker safety and health.
- Susceptibility to mental and physical illness.
- Cardiovascular and other physiological changes.
- Effects on the vestibular (sense of balance), cardiovascular
(heart and circulatory), endocrine (internally-secreting
glands), and neural systems.
- Effects on drug uptake.
Funding levels for non-auditory health effects research are shown in
Table III-5.
19
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Table III-4
FEDERAL RESEARCH FUNDING FOR NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS
(Thousands of Dollars)
Agency FY 73 FY 74 FY 75
HEW^NINDS) 447
HEW(NIOSH) 224
HEW(NIEHS) 145
DOD 248
NSF 20
EPA 0
TOTALS 1,084 1,366 1,979*
*DOD FY 75 data estimated the sames as FY 74
Table III-5
FEDERAL RESEARCH FUNDING FOR NON-AUDITORY HEALTH EFFECTS OF NOISE
(Thousands of Dollars)
Agency FY 73 FY 74 FY 75
HEW(NIEHS) 8
HEW(NIOSH) . 108
DOD 10
EPA 0_
TOTALS 126 294 61*
*DOD FY 75 data estimated the same as FY 74
**2 year project
C. INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR EFFECTS
Individual behavior effects are of interest in a variety of environ-
ments where adverse reflex actions or behavior may.result in accidents
or unfavorable performance, e.g., occupational, military and vehicle
handling. Various studies have indicated that noise may have negative,
neutral, or even positive effects on performance.
The effects of noise on performance have been, studied in the labora-
tory and in the actual work situation, with more emphasis on laboratory
research. Generalizing from the laboratory to real life situations is
difficult since, in the laboratory, exposures are short and the novel
tasks employed cause subjects to be fairly well motivated. By contrast,
20
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office and factory workers usually work below their maximum efficiency and
respond to noise in combination with other stimuli. The lack of well-
controlled "field studies is still a very real problem in the evaluation of
the effects of noise on human performance.
Current research programs in this category, conducted by five agencies,
are addressing the following specific problems:
- Annoyance factors, e.g., loudness, noisiness, and
aversiveness
- Performance capability in:
High levels of noise exposure
Environmental noise (from transportation
systems, etc.)
Occupational noise levels
Combination with other stressors (heat,
vibration, etc.) in various environments
- Startle effects on performance
- Human adaptation to noise
- Measures of aversiveness and annoyance
Funding levels for research on individual behavior effects of noise are
shown in Table III-6.
D. NOISE EFFECTS ON SLEEP
Survey data indicate that sleep disturbance is often the principal
reason given for noise annoyance.
There are indications that.sleeping in noisy surroundings does produce
some effects on sleep, either in the form of awakening, if the noise is loud
enough, or in the form of shifts in the stages of sleep. Usually, however,
much of our data comes from laboratory experiments that involve few people
and "responses" are evaluated in terms of physiological measurements such
as the electroencephalogram,, which, measures nervous system electric voltages
in the brain. Caution must therefore be exercised in drawing conclusions
regarding the effect of noise on sleep for the general population. Even
greater caution must be exercised in making references about the long-range
effect of sleep disturbance since there exist very little experimental data
regarding these effects.
Two agencies reported research directed solely or primarily to noise
effects on sleep.
21
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Table III-6
FEDERAL RESEARCH FUNDING FOR INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR EFFECTS OF NOISE
(Thousands of Dollars)
Agency FY 73 FY 74 FY 75
HEW(19IOSH) 0 28
DOD 233 166
DOT 50 0
EPA 0 50
DOC(NBS) 98 117
TOTALS 381 361 443*
*DOD FY 75 data estimated the same as FY 74
Table III-7
FEDERAL RESEARCH FUNDING FOR NOISE EFFECTS ON SLEEP
(Thousands of Dollars)
Agency FY 73 FY 74 FY 75
NASA 217 254 142
EPA 0 0 17
TOTALS 217 254 159
22
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Current research in this category is being addressed to the following
specific problems:
- Nonawakening effects (change in pattern and
quality of sleep)
- Sleep disturbance by aircraft noise
- Correlational analysis of foreign and domestic
scientific data on the effects of noise on human
sleep.
Funding levels reported for research directed solely or primarily to
noise effects on sleep are shown in Table III-7, Page 22.
E. COMMUNICATION INTERFERENCE
Noise can interfere with speech by changing its perceived quality,
shifting its apparent location or loudness, or by making it partially or
completely inaudible.
Unfortunately, most of the available knowledge is often of limited
assistance in predicting the intelligibility of ordinary speech which
actually consists of a complex sequence of sounds whose overall intensity
and spectral distribution are constantly varying. The intelligibility of
ordinary speech is rather complex and must often be predicted on the basis
of results with isolated words.
s.
Current Federal research in communication interference by noise, con-
ducted by four different, agencies, is addressing the following problems:
- Effects of noise on speech production
- Methods for predicting speech intelligibility
in noise
- Speech communication in special environments
- Speech discrimination in normal and pathological
hearing groups
- Hearing aid performance in noisy environments
- Warning signals in coal mines.
Funding levels for research in communication interference by noise
are shown in Table III-8.
23
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Table III-8
FEDERAL RESEARCH FUNDING FOR COMMUNICATIONS INTERFERENCE OF NOISE
(Thousands of Dollars)
Agency FY 73 FY 74 FY 75
HEW(NINDS) 79 140
DOD 124 109
EPA 0 59
DOI(BuMines) 72 8
TOTALS 275 316 296*
*DOD FY 75 data estimated the same as FY 54.
Table III-9
FEDERAL RESEARCH FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY OR
COLLECTIVE RESPONSE TO NOISE
(Thousands of Dollars)
Agency FY 73 FY 74 FY 75
DOD 32
NASA 378
DOT 0
HUD 0
TOTALS 410 821 1,114*
*DOD FY 75 data estimated the same as FY 74.
-24-
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F. COMMUNITY OR COLLECTIVE RESPONSE
Numerous techniques have also been devised to measure annoyance from
a simple scale of annoyance level to complicated techniques involving
social surveys. Many studies have addressed the relation between noise
and annoyance. Most of this work has been related to conventional air-
craft operations. Other noise sources exist which appear to warrant
additional consideration. Other social and economic responses such as
political actions or change in land values also need to be examined.
Four different agencies were conducting research in community or
collective response in the FY 73-74 time period, addressing the following
problems:
- National baseline data bank of environmental
noise levels-unified measurement system
- Community response studies
- Military operations noise.
Funding levels for research in community or collective response to
noise are shown in Table III-9, Page 24.
G. DOMESTIC ANIMALS AND WILDLIFE
Noise produces the same general types of effects on animals as it
does on humans, namely: auditory, masking of communication, behavioral,
and physiological. These effects have not yet been definitely described.
No criteria have been developed for these effects.
Recent research in this category, one project concluded in FY 73,
was addressed to hearing levels of fowls. No funding data are listed
herein for that project.
H. MEASUREMENT METHODOLOGY AND CALIBRATION
Research in measurement methodology and calibration is conducted
by agencies to support noise health effects research programs, to support
implementation of noise control legislation, and to maintain a defensible
posture regarding measurement technology.
This entails a broad range of activities involved in establishing
measurement systems to define the environments and determine the effects
on humans: defining measurement requirements, analysis and evaluation of
alternate methodologies, and the development of hardware, software and
procedures.
25
-------
The significance of this effort is reflected in the current fiscal
data. More than $1.2 million, 28 percent of total Federal funding on
noise effects research, was expended on research in measurement method-
ology and calibration in FY 74. Six agencies conducted research in this
category in FY 74, largely directed to the following problems:
- Defining the noise environment through:
Monitoring methodology
Monitoring instrumentation
- Noise source characterization - rating schemes
- Audiometry
- Characterization of vertical/short takeoff and
landing aircraft noise
- Portable calibration of Audiodosimeters.
Funding levels for research in measurement methodology and calibra-
tion are shown in Table III-10.
Table III-10
FEDERAL RESEARCH FUNDING FOR NOISE MEASUREMENT METHODOLOGY
AND CALIBRATION
(Thousands of Dollars) r^ ^
Agency , FY 73 FY 74 FY 75
HEW(NIOSH;
DQD '
HUD
EPA
DOl(BuMines)
NASA
TOTAL 1,073 1,344 916*
*DOD FY 75 data estimated the same as FY 74
26
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IV. CONCLUSIONS
A. SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS
Known or suspected effects of noise include effects on hearing,
other effects which may (or may not) lead to permanent health impairment,
effects on behavior such as performance or annoyance, speech and other
communication interference, sleep disturbance, social/economic/political/
legal/behavioral community responses, and effects on animals. Quantita-
tive cause-effect relationships, however, have been provisionally defined
by the Federal government only for hearing, annoyance, and speech inter-
ference. The information identified in these three areas is also
discussed. Limitations in this information .in other areas are shown
and research needed to provide thorough and accurate information on all
effects of noise is identified. Such information is necessary for setting
standards for protection of public health and welfare, assessment of the
benefits to be derived from noise reduction in light of the costs, assur-
ance of safe, productive work environments and adequate communication,
and decisions at all levels affecting the quality of life. A way of
categorizing current and needed noise effects research is presented.
The current Federally supported noise effects research is summarized for
each of eight categories.
B. RESEARCH SUBJECTS NEEDING ADDITIONAL EMPHASIS
Although an in-depth analysis and assessment of the current Federal
noise effects programs has not been made, the Noise Effects Research
Panel through its collective knowledge of both needs and current research
has identified specific research subjects which need additional emphasi-s
in order to provide accurate and thorough information on effects of
noise. These include subjects not currently receiving enough attention
and those not currently being addressed. They are compared for each
category with a summary of the current research (as discussed in Chapter 3)
in Table IV-1. Since the adequacy of the current research has not been
addressed, it should not be assumed that the subjects listed under current
research are being thoroughly covered. On the contrary, the current
programs need continued, and in some instances expanded, support in order
to provide necessary information on effects of noise.
C. FUTURE PANEL ACTIVITIES
Since the Noise Effects Research Panel has been in existence only a
short time, its work has just begun. In the future, it expects to
address: adequacy of current research, new starts, agency interests and
capabilities, and priorities of research needs. With these activities,
the panel hopes to move toward a coordinated plan for Federal noise
effects research which can direct research toward critical problems and
27
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issues, assure coordinated and complementary efforts, and promote
research accomplished in the most productive and scientifically
viable manner.
Prior to establishment of the panel in early 1974, the various
agencies accomplished much in gaining understanding of the effects
of noise. The panel hopes that the overall rate of research progress
will accelerate as these agencies participate mutually in this
planning process.
Table IV-1
SUMMARY OF NOISE EFFECTS RESEARCH NEEDS BY CATEGORY
I. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Current Research
1. Cross-sectional studies in
various environments, (occu-
pational, military, recrea-
tional, etc.)
2. Relationships between
permanent and temporary
threshold shifts
3. Susceptibility to hearing
loss
4. Combination of noise and
other stressors (work, heat,
vibration, etc.)
5. Combination with ototoxic
drugs, other ototoxic agents,
and abnormal physiology
6. Effects on children
7. Impulse, intermittent, and
high intensity noise
Research Needing Additional
Emphasis
1. Longitudinal studies of normal
hearing
2. Longitudinal studies of noise
exposed populations
3. Analysis of cross-sectional and
retrospective audiometric data
from known occupational exposure
4. Definition and quantification of
presbycus is
5. Possible high-risk and susceptible
populations
6. Social and economic impact of
noise-induced hearing loss
28
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Table IV-1 (Cont.)
Current Research Research Needing Additional
Emphasis
8. Permanent effects of occupational
and longer environmental exposures
9. Mechanisms of hearing loss (bio-
chemical, physiological, etc.)
10. Hearing protection
II. Non-Auditory Health Effects
Current Research Research Needing Additional
Emphasis
1. Worker safety and health 1. Non-Auditory long-term health
effects
2. Susceptibility to disease
a. Epidemiologic (physiolog-
3. Cardiovascular and other ical and mental health)
physiologic changes b. Longitudinal studies on
subhuman primates
4. Effects on the vestibular,
cardiovascular, endocrine,
and neural systems 2. Health effects of impulse noise
5. Effects on drug uptake 3. Health effects of infrasound and
ultrasound
III. Individual Behavior Effects
Current Research Research Needing Additional
Emphasis
1. Annoyance - loudness, 1. Effects on task performance in
noisiness and aversiveness specific environments
2. Performance capability in: 2. Pure tone and time-varying
corrections for annoyance
a. High level exposure evaluation
b. Environmental noise
c. Occupational noise 3. Effects of noise in learning
d. Combination with other situations
stressors in various
environments
29
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Table IV-1 (Cont.)
III. Individual Behavior Effects (Cont.)
Current Research Research Needing Additional
Emphasis
e. Intermittent and impulse 4. Annoyance in susceptible
noise populations (e.g., hospital
environments)
3. Startle effects on performance
5. Cognitive components of annoy-
ing noise
IV. Noise Effects on Sleep
Current Research Research Needing Additional
Emphasis
1. Non-awakening effects 1. Chronic sleep interruption by
noise
2. Sleep disturbance by aircraft
noise 2. Sleep interruptions on special
populations (ill, aged, etc.)
3. Home environment
V. Communication Interference
Current Research Research Needing Additional
Emphasis
1. Effects on speech production 1. Everyday speech communication
in real-life noise situations
2. Methods for predicting speech a. Various vocabularies
intelligibility in noise b. Various populations
(children, females,
3. Speech communication in special aged, foreign dialect,
environments hearing impaired, etc.)
4. Speech discrimination in normal 2. Criteria for speech communication
and pathological hearing groups in rooms
5. Hearing aid performance in 3. Effects of noise on speech and
noisy environments message production
4. Effectiveness of auditory warning
signals in the presence of noise
30
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Table IV-1 (Cont.)
VI. Community Collective Response
Current Research Research Needing Additional
Emphasis
1. National baseline data bank 1. Community surveys to address
of environmental noise levels- annoyance as a function of
unified measurement system exposure patterns
2. Community response studies 2. Noise, its sociological effects
in relation to quality of life
3. Military operations noise
3. Criteria for land use
compatibility
VII. Domestic Animals and Wildlife
Current Research ' Research Needing Additional
Emphasis
1. Hearing levels of fowls 1. Identification and development
of criteria with respect to
behaviorial effects of:
a. Endangered species
b. Other wildlife
c. Domestic animals
VIII. Measurement Methodology and
Calibration
Current Research Research Needing Additional
Emphasis
1. Noise Environment 1. Development of standard
methodologies
a. Monitoring methodology
b. Monitoring instrumen- 2. Characterization of noise
tation in terms of environmental
impact
2. Source characterization- 3. characterization of noise
noise rating schemes effects of specific sources
3. Audiometry 4. Development of monitoring
instrumentation for evaluation
of complex noises
31
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APPENDIX A
GLOSSARY
Broad-band Noise
Card iovascular
Chronic
Cochlea; Cochlear
Continuous Noise
Cross-sectional
Decibel (dB)
dBA
Endocrine
Definition
The measurement of hearing.
Relating to or pertaining to the sense
of hearing.
Noise whose energy is distributed over
a broad range of frequency.
Pertaining to the heart and blood
vessels.
Long term continuous or frequently
repeated.
A spiral shaped cavity in the temporal
bone, resembling a snail shell, which
forms part of the inner ear and contains
the end organ of hearing; pertaining to
the cochlea.
On-going noise, the intensity of which
remains at a measurable level (which may
vary) without interruption over an
indefinite period or a specified period
of time. Loosely, nonimpulsive noise.
Pertaining to a sample of a population
at a given time.
A measure on a logarithmic scale, of the
magnitude of a particular quantity (such
as sound pressure, sound power, or inten-
sity) with respect to a standard reference
value (20 micropascals for sound pressure).
A unit of sound level with A-weighted
characteristics.
Pertaining to the internally-secreting
glands whose products are distributed via
the blood rather than through ducts.
A-l
-------
Epidemlologic
Frequency
Hearing Impairment
Hearing Loss
Hearing Threshold Level
Impulse Noise
(Impulsive Noise)
Infrasound
Intermittent Noise
udn
Pertaining to studies of humans in their
natural environment.
The number of times per second that a
periodic sound repeats itself. Now
expressed in Hertz (Hz), formerly in
cycles per second (cps).
Hearing loss exceeding a designated
criterion (e.g., 25 dB hearing threshold
level, averaged from the threshold levels
at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz).
Impairment of auditory sensitivity; an
elevation of a hearing threshold level.
The amount (in decibels) by which the
threshold of hearing for an ear (or the
average for a group) exceeds the standard
audiometric reference zero (ISO 1964;
ANSI 1969).
Noise of short duration (typically less
than one second) especially of high
intensity, abrupt onset and rapid decay,
and often rapidly changing spectral
composition.
NOTE: Impulse noise is characteristically
associated with such sources as explosions,
impacts, the discharge of firearms, the
passage of supersonic aircraft (sonic boom)
and many industrial processes.
Sound with frequencies below the audible
range, traditionally below 16 Hz.
Fluctuating noise whose level falls one
or more times to very low or unmeasurable
values during an exposure.
A one-number scheme for designating the
24-hour equivalent noise exposure adjusted
so that nighttime noise is given more
weight.
A-2
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Level
Longitudinal Studies
Noise Exposure
Noise-Induced Permanent
Threshold Shift (NIPTS)
Ototoxic
Permanent Threshold Shift
Physiological
Sound Level (SL)
Temporary Threshold Shift
(TTS)
Threshold of Hearing
Ultrasound
Vestibular
In acoustics, the level of a quantity
is the logarithm of the ratio of that
quantity to a reference quantity of the
same kind. The base of the logarithm,
the reference quantity, and the kind of
level must be specified,
Long-term surveying and monitoring of a
given group of the population.
A combination of effective noise level
and exposure duration.
A permanent threshold shift (PTS)
caused by noise exposure, corrected
for the effect of aging.
Poisonous or damaging to the auditory
(hearing) organ.
A permanent elevation in the hearing
threshold level.
Pertaining to the functions and activities
of a living cell, tissue or organism.
Weighted sound pressure level 7 obtained
by the use of metering characteristics
and the weightings A, B, or C as specified
in the American National Standard Specifi-
cation for Sound Level Meters, ANSI-SI.4-
1971. The weighting employed must be
stated.
A short duration elevation in the hearing
threshold level.
The minimum effective sound pressure level
of an acoustic signal capable of exciting
the sensation of hearing in a specified
proporation of trials in prescribed condi-
tions of listening.
Sound with frequencies above the audible
range, i.e., above 16,000-20,000 Hz.
Pertaining to the sense of balance organs
in the inner ear.
A-3
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APPENDIX B
GLOSSARY OF AGENCY ACRONYMS
Symbols
DOC
DOC(NBS)
DOD
DOI
DOI(BuMines)
DOL
DOT
EPA
HEW
HEW(NIEHS)
HEW(NINDS)
HEW(NIOSH)
HUD
NASA
NSF
Agencies
Department of Commerce
National Bureau of Standards
Department of Defense
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Mines
Department of Labor
Department of Transportation
Environmental Protection Agency
Department of Health, Education,
and Welfare
National Institute of Environ-
mental Health Sciences
National Institute of Neurolog-
ical Diseases and Stroke
National Institute for Occupa-
tional Safety and Health
Department of Housing and Urban
Development
National Aeronautics and Space
Administration
National Science Foundation
B-l
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APPENDIX C
NOISE EFFECTS RESEARCH PANEL MEMBERS
George R. Simon (Chairman) (RD-683) 202/755-0626
Health Effects Division
Office of Research and Development
Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
Jacob Beck* 202/632-4264
Division of Biological and Medical Sciences
National Science Foundation
1800 G Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20550
Reginald 0. Cook 919/549-3247
Bio-Physics Section
National Institute of Environmental Health
Sciences
P. 0. Box 12233
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709
Stephen Cordle (RD-681) 202/755-0448
Noise Technology Staff
Office of Research and Development
Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
Derek Dunn 513/684-3416
Physical Agents Branch
National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health
1014 Broadway
Cleveland, Ohio 45202
Lois Elliott 301/496-5061
Communicative Disorders
C&FR, NINDS
National Institutes of Health
Building 36, Room 4A23
Bethesda, Maryland 20014
Daniel Flynn 301/921-3381
Applied Acoustics Section
National Bureau of Standards
Room A149, Sound Building
Washington, D.C. 20234
*now at University of Oregon
C-l
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Gene Lyman 202/755-2370
Aeronautical Man-Vehicle Technology Division
NASA Headquarters
Washington, D.C. 20546
Alice Suter (AW-571) 513/255-3660
Office of Noise Control Programs
Crystal Mall Building 2
1921 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, Virginia 20460
Floyd Van Atta 202/961-5005
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
U.S. Department of Labor
Washington, D.C. 20210
Henning E. Von Gierke 513/255-3602
6570th Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory
Biodynamics and Bionics Division (AMRL/BB)
Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433
John Wesler 202/426-9503
Department of Transportation
Transpoint Building, Room 5222
2100 Second Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
Att: TST-53
George Winzer 202/755-0268
Manager, Environmental Research
Room 4210
Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20410
C-2
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APPENDIX D
DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS
Section Page
1. NINDS D-3
1.1 Noise-Induced Hearing Loss D-4
1.2 Nonauditory Health Effects D-6
1.3 Communication Interference D-7
2. NIEHS D-7
2.1 Noise-Induced Hearing Loss D-9
2.2 Nonauditory Health Effects D-ll
3. NIOSH D-13
3.1 Noise-Induced Hearing Loss D-13
3.2 Nonauditory Health Effects D-17
3.3 Individual Behavior Effects D-17
3.4 Measurement Methodology and
Calibration D-19
4. DOD D-21
4.1 Noise-Induced Hearing Loss D-21
4.2 Nonauditory Health Effects D-24
4.3 Individual Behavior Effects D-24
4.4 Communication Interference D-27
4.5 Community or Collective Response D-28
4.6 Measurement Methodology and
Calibration D-30
5. NASA D-32
5.1 Noise Effects on Sleep D-32
5.2 Community or Collective Response D-34
6. DOT D-35
6.1 Individual Behavior Effects D-35
6.2 Community or Collective Response D-37
7. DOC/NBS D-37
8. HUD D-38
8.1 Community or Collective Response D-38
8.2 Measurement Methodology and Calibration D-40
D-l
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Section
9. EPA
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
9.6
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Nonauditory Health Effects
Individual Behavior Effects
Sleep Interference
Communication Interference
Measurement Methodology and Calibration
10. DOI/BuMines
10.1 Communication Interference
10.2 Measurement Methodology and Calibration
D-42
D-42
D-44
TABLES
No. Page
D-l In-House Research Cost Items by Agency D-3
D-2 NINDS Research on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss D-5
D-3 NINDS Research on Communication Interference D-8
D-4 NIEHS Research on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss D-10
D-5 NIEHS Research in Nonauditory Health Effects D-12
D-6 NIOSH Research on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss D-15
D-7 NIOSH Research in Nonauditory Health Effects D-18
D-8 NIOSH Research on Individual Behavior Effects D-18
D-9 NIOSH Research in Measurement Methodology and
Calibration D-20
D-10 DOD Research in Noise-Induced Hearing Loss D-22
D-ll DOD Research on Individual Behavior Effects D-26
D-12 DOD Research in Communication Interference D-29
D-13 DOD Research in Measurement Methodology
and Calibration D-30
D-14 NASA Research on Noise Effects on Sleep D-33
D-15 NASA Research in Community or Collective
Response D-33
D-16 NASA Research in Measurements D-35
D-17 DOT Research on Individual Behavior Effects D-36
D-18 HUD Research in Community or Collective
Response D-39
D-19 HUD Research in Measurement Methodology and
Calibration D-39
D-20 DOI(BuMines) Noise Effects Research D-43
D-2
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DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS
This appendix presents a summary of Federal research programs and
projects in noise effects.
Program and project information is grouped according to agency and,
within each agency, according to research categories.
The fiscal data are reported for each agency consistent with its
own budgetary process. As there is considerable variation among the
various agencies in such processes, comparison of funding levels cannot
be made. Table D-l illustrates this difficulty by showing what is
included in each agency's funding reporting.
The project and program titles reported convey little information
on scopes of work. Thus similar titles may have widely varying funding
levels and may involve completely different kinds and extent of research
activities.
Table D-l
IN-HOUSE RESEARCH COST ITEMS BY AGENCY
Agency
Cost Items
EQUIPMENT AND
SERVICES
SALARIES
FRINGE BENEFITS
ADMINISTRATIVE
FACILITIES
TRAVEL
NINDS
X
X
X
NIEHS
X
X
X
X
X
X
NIOSH
X
X
X
X
DOD
X
X*
X
X
X
X
NASA
X
X
X
X
X
X
NBS
X
X
X
X
X
X
EPA HUD
X
X
X
X
DOT NSF
NO CURRENT IN-
HOUSE RESEARCH
IN NOISE EFFECTS XXX
*Civilian salaries included, but not military salaries
1. NINDS
NINDS has major research efforts on-going in two categories, noise
induced hearing loss and communication interference, and plans to initiate
a major effort in a third category, nonauditory health effects.
D-3
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1.1 Noise Induced Hearing Loss
NINDS has three organizational divisions which relate to noise-induced
hearing loss, and ten specific projects (some in the planning phase) dealing
with that research category. The program-project relationship and funding
are shown in Table D-2.
Effects of Noise on People - The NINDS program, Effects of Noise on People,
is part of the directed research program in Communicative Disorders which
has as its overall goal the diagnosis, treatment, amelioration, and pre-
vention of communicative disorders. The thrust of the noise program is
best understood in the context of the other major program areas which
include hearing, sensory aids for the communicatively handicapped, and
language and speech problems of children and adults.
Specific noise-related goals include: prevention of handicapping
conditions in young children which are attributable to noise exposure;
improved understanding of the economic and social impacts of noise-induced
hearing loss; improved understanding of the possible interactions between
health, nutrition, and noise exposure in producing noise-induced hearing
loss; improved understanding of the possible effects of noise on suscept-
ibility to disease.
This noise program has recently been initiated. Through interagency
agreement in FY 74, interdisciplinary planning was initiated on the effects
of noise on children. Specifically, the National Research Council/National
Academy of Sciences Committee on Hearing, Bioacoustics, and Biomechanics
(CHABA) is reviewing existing information. NINDS will make the review
document available to the general public. New research projects expected
to be implemented in FY 75 are: animal studies of the effects of noise on
young ears and a study of auditory responses, in noise and in quiet, of
children ranging from the very young to age six. Planned for initiation in
FY 75 is a detailed study of auditory sensitivity and discrimination among
children (8-12 year age range) who have lived in noisy environments for a
number of years and of children from quiet environments.
Another research project on noise-induced hearing loss will be initiated
in FY 76 (in FY 75, if additional funds become available). This will involve
a study of the economic and social impacts of noise-induced hearing loss and
will investigate such areas as numbers of persons experiencing noise-induced
hearing loss by type of employment activity, reduction in earning potential,
reduction in retirement benefit potential, and change in patterns of activity
outside the working environment.
Finally, a study of presbycusis and its relationship to noise exposure,
circulatory factors, nutrition, etc., is scheduled to be planned in FY 77
and initiated in FY 78.
D-4
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Table D-2
NINDS RESEARCH ON NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS
Noise-"Induced Hearing Loss Projects Funding
(Thousands of Dollars)
Program: Communicative
Disorders (Effects of FY 73 FY 74 FY 75
Noise on People)
1. Effects of Noise on Children 0 20 0
2. Experimental Studies of Effects of
Noise on Young Ears (Primates) 0 0 340
3. Auditory Responses in Quiet and
Noise Among Very Young Children , . . . 0 0 120
4. Auditory Sensitivity and Discrim-
ination Among Children Living in
Noisy Environments 0 0 120
5. Economic Impacts on Noise-Induced
Hearing Loss1 0 0 0
6. Presbycusis1 0 0 0
Laboratory of Neuro-
Otolaryngology
(Being established) 0 28 15
Grants Program
1. Susceptibility to Hearing Loss .... 45 47 49
2. Causes of Deafness 365 387 413
3. Auditory Communications •>•>•>
and Its Disorders 461Z 586Z 5982
4. Noise Effects on Audiogram and
Cochlea 37 0 0
TOTALS 447 482 1057
*In planning phase
2Project funding covers work not noise-related
and is not included in totals.
D-5
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Laboratory of 0tolaryngology - The objectives of this program include
increased understanding of the auditory system in order to understand
the full significance of noise-induced destruction of cochlear hair cells,
to seek possible prevention of noise-induced hearing loss, and to seek
methods of treating persons who have already experienced noise-induced
hearing loss.
As this program is currently being established, no specific projects
have been identified. However, the funds reported are noise-related only.
Grants Program - HINDS support of research on the effects of noise exposure
has continued for a number of years through the extramural grant program.
These studies, concerning both biologic effects of noise on the auditory
system and human responses to noise, constitute a large portion of present-
ly available data.
Several laboratories are presently conducting research on the basic
mechanisms of destruction of the cochlea (or inner ear) resulting from
exposure to noise. Procedures have been developed for using animals in
this work since recordings are made of the electrical responses of cells
and histological analyses of cellular tissue can be completed. This means
that investigators have also needed to develop procedures for obtaining
"hearing tests" from these animals so that the perceptual effects of noise
damage could be studied together with the physiological effects. One
grantee has demonstrated that levels and durations of noise which do not
produce lasting impairment in behavioral response to pure tone (no lasting
effect on the "hearing test") are nevertheless sufficient to produce
considerable cellular damage to the cochlea. In addition to research on
the physiological damage incurred to the hair (or receptor) cells of the
cochlea, investigators are attempting to understand the exact process by
which this happens. For example, it is not clear whether exclusively
mechanical factors are involved in destroying the receptor cells or whether
biochemical or bio-electrical factors must also be considered.
Another area under investigation is the relationship between temporary
shift of the auditory threshold resulting from noise exposure and permanent
noise-induced hearing loss. One investigator has anticipated that measure-
ment of temporary threshold shift in human populations exposed to noise
might warn of impending permanent hearing loss, but the usefulness of that
diagnostic strategy is now being reconsidered.
1.2 Nonauditory Health Effects
NINDS is developing a new program concerned with the effects of noise
on health. Initial emphasis, planned to begin in FY 76, will concern
increased susceptibility to disease as a result of noise exposure. This
new project will utilize all resources of the major NIH facility, located
in Bethesda, Maryland. At the present, responsibility for planning this
research rests with the Communicative Disorders program.
D-6
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1.3 Communications Interference
Understanding and defining the impact of noise on human communication,
with particular emphasis on speech communication, is a major MINDS
objective. NINDS is concerned with the intelligibility of everyday
speech for both normal listeners and for listeners with communicative
disorders. For this latter population, NINDS also emphasizes the objec-
tive of ameliorating ability to understand speech in noisy environments.
Through its grants program NINDS has previously funded research on
masking and speech interference. Initiated in FY 74, by contract, is
research directed to the development of a new test for speech discrimina-
tion in noise. This work was undertaken in recognition of the limitations
of pure tone tests of auditory sensitivity (i.e., audiograms) and of most
existing "speech tests11 which do not adequately measure the cognitive
aspects of understanding speech. This project is developing an instrument
for measuring discrimination in noise of connected speech containing key
test words that vary in predictability and familiarity. Speech discrim-
ination will be measured in the presence of a competing speech message
at several signal-to-noise ratios and at least two widely different signal
levels for groups of subjects with normal hearing, conductive hearing
impairment, and acquired sensorineural hearing impairment.
A study of message transmission in noise is planned for initiation in
FY 79.
Project funding levels for this effort are shown in Table D-3.
2. NIEHS
NIEHS has a major research effort in noise-induced hearing loss and
also pursues work in nonauditory health effects.
The Noise Effects Program of the National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences is an integral facet of the Institute's concern with the
effects of adverse environmental agents and energy mechanisms. The Noise
Effects Program is designed to make maximum use of the Institute's multi-
disciplinary makeup to facilitate the study of the effects of this
ubiquitous environmental insult.
The noise effects laboratory is located in the Environmental Biophysics
Branch where personnel with research backgrounds in auditory and neuro-
physiology, acoustics and medicine form a core from which investigations
have been and are being carried out, not only in traditional histopatho-
logical and electrophysiological effects of noise on the inner ear, but
have extended into teratogenic effects and pharmacologic effects and
into the underlying biochemical dysfunctions which precede hearing loss.
Other nonaudftory effects including endocrine and immuniological disorders
are also being studied.
D-7
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Table D-3
KINDS RESEARCH ON COMMUNICATION INTERFERENCE
Projects in Communications Interference Funding Levels
(Thousands of Dollars)
Communicative Disorders
Program FY 73 FY 74 FY 75
(Effects of Noise on People)
1. Development of Test Instrument for Assessing
Speech Discrimination in Noise 0 140 100
2. Message Transmission in Noise (in planning
phase) 0 0 0
Grants Program
Noise-Induced Deafness: Masking and Speech
Perception 79 0 0
TOTALS 79 140 100
D-8
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Nearly all of the NIEHS work is done via research animals. Fortu-
nately, the peripheral auditory systems of most mammals including man
are very similar. Thus research animals can be confidently utilized
for the study of the inner ear-sensorineural losses which are the charac-
teristic effect of excessive noise insult.
Most hearing losses from noise are characterized by gradual deterior-
ation from repeated exposures. A major part of the present on-going
program is a continuing study of how these repeated exposures affect
the ear's ability to recover and what biochemical and physiological
disruptions hold the key to understanding the process.
The Institute's interdisciplinary capabilities have recently been
focused on the study of synergisms between noise and other ototoxic
agents, both intramurally and extramurally. Noise has been found to
greatly potentiate the effect of the family of aminoglycoside antibiotics
(neomycin, etc.). The mechanisms of this synergism is the subject of an
investigation by one of our contractors. Other ototoxic agents studied
include salicylic acid (aspirin) and certain heavy metals including
lead and mercury.
2.1 Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
NIEHS has one program of studies, initiated about July 1972, on the
effects of noise and other ototoxic agents on the auditory and nonauditory
systems. Five specific projects in noise-induced hearing loss were in
effect on this program in the FY 73-74 period. One additional project
in noise-induced hearing loss was performed on a grant in FY 74 under
the agency's extramural program. Program/project relationships and
funding levels for this effort are shown in Table D-4.
>
Specific projects conducted in the FY 73-74 period on the NIEHS
research program include:
• A comparative investigation of the hearing loss
threshold curve for young and mature animals,
being conducted in response to evidence indicating
greater susceptibility of young cochlea to noise-
induced physiological (tissues, muscles, cells, etc.)
and pathological (disease) alterations. Firm
recommendations regarding criteria for maximum noise
exposures for prevention of noise-induced deafness
in newborns cannot presently be made because of the
paucity of data. It appears medically prudent to
take extreme precaution to avoid exposing newborns
to excessive noise.
• A study of the combined effects of noise and salicy-
lates (such as aspirin) on eoehlear morphology and
the auditory threshold. Studies thus far indicate
D-9
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Table D-4
NIEHS RESEARCH ON NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Projects Funding Level
(Thousands of Dollars)
Program: Effects of
Noise and Other Ototoxic FY 73 FY 74 FY 75
Agents on the Auditory
and Nonauditory Systems
1. Investigation of Hearing Loss Threshold
Curve for Young vs. Mature Animals 25 25 0
2. Combined Effect of Noise and
Salicylates on Cochlear Morphology
and Auditory Threshold 20 0 0
3. Identification of Physiological
Dysfunction in Neurosensory Hearing
Loss Induced by Ototoxic Agents 0 8 29
4. Physiological Study of Auditory
Fatigue (Induced by Noise) 0 8 26
5. Interaction of Noise and Ototoxic
Drugs on Hearing Loss in Animals 100 100 100
Extramural Program
1. Combined Impulse-Continuous Noise:
Auditory Effect 0 51 44
TOTALS 145 192 199
D-10
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that a profound ototoxic interaction is not taking
place, though a clinically significant interaction
is a distinct possibility.
• A study of the changes in energy utilization and
production under the influence of known ototoxic
agents (e.g., noise, ethacrynic acid, etc.) by
utilizing electrophysiological*, biochemical, and
radioactive tracer techniques and to pinpoint the
specific mechanism by which these actions occur
in the cochlea.
• A study of auditory fatigue in which the loci or
nature of the physiological changes underlying
the temporary or permanent threshold shift are
being investigated, as well as the potential of
auditory fatigue by subtoxic doses of antibiotics.
• A study to determine the nature of the interaction
between noise and ototoxic drugs in experimental
animals, and to investigate the biochemical
mechanisms involved in such losses.
The following project was conducted by a grantee on the NIEHS extra-
mural program:
• A study of the effects of combined impulse and
continuous noise on hearing sensitivity and cochlear
anatomy. The extent of noise-induced trauma from
these combined sources cannot be explained by
addition of the acoustic power of the sources.
These data are a necessary prerequisite for the
ultimate establishment of damage risk criteria for
impulse-continuous noise combinations.
2.2 Nonauditory Health Effects
NIEHS has one current program with five specific projects on
nonauditory health effects research. Programs, projects, and funding
for this research are shown in Table D-5.
One of the objectives of this NIEHS program is to investigate, through
animal models, specific physiologic mechanisms** which may be effected by
chronic noise exposure.
^Electrical techniques for measuring responses
**Including endocrine (glandular) immunologic, phannacologic
(drug), teratogenic (spontaneous birth malformation),
cardiovascular (heart and circulatory), and others.
D-ll
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Table D-3
NIEHS RESEARCH IN NONAUDITORY HEALTH EFFECTS
Nonauditory Health Effects Research Projects
Program: Effects of Noise and
Other Ototoxic Agents on the
Auditory and Nonauditory Systems
1. Teratogenic Effects of Noise Exposure and
Deprivation
2. Effects of Noise on Corticosterone Secretion
in the Rat
3. Noise Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Function
4. Noise and Cellmediated Immunity
5. Noise in the Hospital
TOTALS
Funding Level
(Thousands of Dollars)
FY 73 FY 74 FY 75
0
0
0
8
8
10
16
12
28
_0
66
8
0
8
24
_0
40
D-12
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Under this program, NIEHS is concerned with the investigation, through
studies on research animals, of effects of noise and noise-drug interaction
on physiological systems and processes other than the auditory systems.
NIEHS pursued work on noise effects on the cardiovascular and neural
functions in animals which is directed toward determining the exact noise
levels at which effects occur, the progress of effects with time, and the
ultimate extent of functional impairment. Other systems and processes of
interest in current research include;
• A study of the effects of continuous and intermittent
noises on adrenal corticoid secretion and of the long-
term effects after cessation of noise. Experimentation
is being conducted with rats.
• Direct study of the effects of noise of differing
duration, both constant and intermittent, on leukocyte
(white blood cell) functions such as locating and
destroying bacteria and viruses.
e An effort to replicate work of foreign scientists which
has shown various immunological deficiencies after
chronic noise exposure in experimental animals and in
human workers.
o Research to determine whether background noise levels
in gestating animal quarters have any role in producing
spontaneous birth malformations and to assess these
teratogenic effects of increased noise stimuli from a
controlled source.
FY 73 NIEHS work on noise in hospitals has been published in the
professional literature. Results included data on noise levels found
in various types of rooms as a function of occupancy and the relationships
between these levels and nonauditory health effects on the hospitalized
patient.
3. NIOSH
NIOSH has a major research effort on noise-induced hearing loss and
also does research in three other categories: nonauditory health effects,
individual behavior effects, and measurements methodology and calibration.
3.1 Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
NIOSH involvement in noise-induced hearing loss stems from the
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (Public Law 91-596) and the
Federal Coal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1969 (Public Law 91-973) which
charge the agency with undertaking research and related activities basic
to assuring safe and healthful workplace conditions. Research directives
D-13
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under this authority emphasize criteria development efforts for furnishing
new health and safety standards and acknowledge needs for more effective
techniques of hazard control. The NIOSH effort is in accordance with the
goal of identifying and characterizing adverse effects of occupational noise
exposures for purposes of defining health and safety requirements for setting
noise standards at the workplace.
NIOSH has two general research activities in noise-induced hearing loss
under which eleven specific research efforts are currently being pursued.
Projects and funding levels for these are shown in Table D-6. From 50 to
607. of NIOSH noise research manpower is given to these two general activities
with in-house studies being supplemented by grants, contracts and special
foreign currency research agreements (Public Law 480).
Items in parentheses in the following tables reflect best estimates of
NIOSH funding in FY 73, but may have been drawn from projects whose titles
differed slightly from those listed in the tables. Furthermore, there may
be some FY 73 funding which was missed in compiling these data because it
was funded under projects terminating in FY 73.
Occupational Hearing Loss - NIOSH has conducted numerous field surveys to
interrelate noise conditions in various industries, years of exposure to
such noise and the incidence and magnitude of hearing loss in working groups.
These data, together with that gained from controlled laboratory studies of
hearing changes caused by specific exposure variables, became a part of the
basis for a NIOSH criteria document and a suggested new occupational noise
standard for safeguarding hearing. This recommended standard is currently
under review by the Department of Labor.
The applicability of the proposed standard for coal mining is also being
considered in light of the results of a joint NIOSH-Bureau of Mines survey
of noise and hearing loss in coal miners.
Special efforts currently being pursued on this program include the
following:
• Epidemiological studies of hearing loss due to occupational
noise, analysis of existent data on the subject, and field
studies for development of hearing risk criteria. This
emphasizes intermittent, fluctuating, and impact noise and
exposures greater than eight hours per day.
• Development of a coal mine audiogram data bank and analysis
of data from a hearing and noise survey of coal miners.
This work is aimed toward development of coal mine noise
standards.
• Epidemiological study of noise-induced hearing loss and
vibration disease among workers using powered saws, being
pursued on a foreign currency agreement with Poland.
D-14
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Table D-6
NIOSH RESEARCH ON NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS
Specific Noise-Induced Hearing Lose Efforts1 Funding
(Thousands of Dollars)
General Research Activities:1
Epidemiological Studies, Data FY 73 FY 74 FY 75
Evaluation and Development of
Health Criteria
1. Evaluation of Hearing Risk Due to Industrial
Noise (75)5 79 104
2. Short-Term Physical Agents Research: Coal
Mine Noise (35)5 10 0
3. Effects of Noise and Vibration on Health
of Woodcutters2
4. Exposure to Noise in the Cotton and Flax or
Textile Industry-*
5. Noise and Hearing in the Paperworking
Industry 0 0 41
General Research Activities:1
Experimental Studies of the Effects
of Occupational Noise on Hearing
1. Laboratory Studies of Noise-Induced Hearing
Loss 0 87 91
2, Combined Effects of Noise, Work, and Heat on
Human Hearing (24)5 18 0
3. Aspects of Ear Tolerance to Noise 50 0 0
4. Laboratory and Field Study of Impact Noise . . 40 0 To be de-
termined
5. Damage Risk Criteria for Intermittent Noise
Exposure 0 56 47
6. Noise and Heat Effects on Man^
7. Effects of Impulse Noises on the Auditory System 0 91 69
TOTALS 224 341 352
NIOSH does not use the terms "program" and "project" in the same sense as
this report. Thus the use of those terms has been avoided.
2Total funding of $212,600 for the period 7/68 to 9/74
3Total funding of $ 99,400 for the period 7/71 to 7/75
^Total funding of $167,000 for the period 5/72 to 4/77
5Project titles were not the same in FY 73.
D-15
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• Epidemiological study of noise levels and hearing
acuity of exposed workers to develop safe-level
criteria for long-term exposure to steady noise.
This project is being conducted on a foreign
currency agreement with Egypt.
Experimental Studies of Occupational Noise Effects on Hearing - Research in
this problem area for FY 73, continuing through FY 74,and planned for FY 75
is attempting to supply evidence confirming the need for and nature of differ-
ent exposure limits to take account of certain noise conditions commonly
found in industry, e.g., repeated impact sounds as opposed to steady-state
sounds, intermittent or variable exposures as distinct from continuous or
constant exposures, and work-shift noise exposures lasting longer than eight
hours per day.
Other related work expected to end in FY 74 or early FY 75 involves
identification of (J) added heat^and ^workload effects, on noise-induced thresh-
old shifts, (2) factors underlying increased ear resistance to noise-induced
hearing change, and (3) hearing loss and other potential hazards from Indus'-
trial equipment emitting ultrasonic energy.
Specific research efforts conducted in FY 73-74 include:
• Laboratory studies of occupational noise effects
including temporary and permanent hearing loss and
anatomical damage to the inner ear. The work
emphasizes impact noise, fluctuating noise and
methods of measuring hearing loss. Both animal
,and human subject research are involved. This
project includes both in-house and contract effort.
• Evaluation of physiological, audiological, and
otological data obtained from selected groups of
industrial workers to identify particular factors
which differentiate susceptible from nonsusceptible
workers in terms of their tolerance to noise
exposure.
• Laboratory tests of human subjects and measurement
of industrial noise exposures to obtain data to
aid in developing criteria for a health standard
on impact noise.
• Laboratory studies of temporary hearing threshold
shift from intermittent noise exposures in order
to evaluate and develop damage risk criteria for
occupational exposures.
.D-16
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• A study to determine the health consequences to
workers exposed to both heat and noise at the work
site and establish under controlled laboratory
conditions the auditory and circulatory interac-
tions elicited by noise and heat exposure. This
work is being performed on a foreign currency
agreement with Poland.
• Studies of changes in anatomy and physiology of
the inner ear, as well as temporary hearing loss,
due to exposure to impulse or impact noise at
high levels. This work involves animal test
subjects.
3.2 Nonauditory Health Effects
NIOSH has one current general research activity with the three specific
research efforts in nonauditory health effects. The goals are to determine
whether adherence to occupational noise limits for safeguarding hearing can
also minimize problems of performance errors or accidents, stress-related
ailments, and sick-absenteeism also reputed to be caused by high workplace
noise levels.
Funding levels for the agency's research in nonauditory health effects
are shown in Table D-7.
The following specific research efforts are being pursued under the
agency's program on extra-auditory effects of occupational noise:
• A study of worker safety and health in which a
comparison is made of entries in the medical,
attendance, and safety records of workers in
noisy jobs before and after the advent of a
company hearing conservation program.
• Laboratory studies to examine the effects of
noise exposure at maximum permissible occupa-
tional levels upon visual, tactile, thermal,
vestibular, and kinesthetic sensory functions.
3.3 Individual Behavior Effects
NIOSH is concerned with the behavorial response of workers to noise,
particularly as it may lead to performance error and accidents.
Funding levels for research in individual behavior effects are shown
in Table D-8. These represent NIOSH-sponsored grants.
D-17
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Table D-7
NIOSH RESEARCH IN NONAUDITORY HEALTH EFFECTS
Specific Nonauditory Health Effects Research
Efforts 1 Funding Level
(Thousands of Dollars)
General Activity: Extra-Auditory
Effects of Occupational Noise FY 73 FY 74 FT 75
1. Effects of a Company Hearing Conservation
Program on Noise-Related Extra-Auditory
Disturbances in Workers 0 42 0
2. Effects of Noise on Nonauditory Sensory
Functions and Performance 78 0 21
3. Effects of Noise and Heat and Health of
Workers in Metal Industry (PL-480 Research
Agreement) 30 0 0
TOTALS 108 42 21
^NIOSH does not use the terms "program" and "project" in the same
sense as this report. Thus their use has been avoided.
Table D-8
NIOSH RESEARCH ON INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR EFFECTS
Specific Individual Behavior Effects
Efforts1 Funding Level
~~~~"~(Thousands of Dollars)
General Activity: Extra-Auditory
Effects of Occupational Noise2 FY 73 FY 74 FY 75
1. Effects of Three Sound Environments on
Human Behavior 0 8 0
2. Noise and Human Performance 0 20 0
TOTALS 0 28 0
3-NIOSH does not use the terms "program" and "project" in the
same sense as this report. Thus their use has been avoided.
2This NIOSH activity also includes research efforts categorized
as nonauditory health effects in this report.
D-18
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The following grant research projects are just complete or continuing:
• A study of the effects of three sound environments
on human behavior, designed to identify the various
conditions of a noise stimuli on performance in a
realistic work situation. This study was initiated
in recognition of the fact that: noise-induced
performance effects are specific to the tasks used,
and, that work requirements and work schedules of
most noise-related research projects have little
resemblance to actual work conditions.
• A study of noise and human performance, primarily
concerned with the relationship between the meaning
which may be associated with particular sounds or
noise and the effects of these sounds on human
performance. Through various techniques, including
conditioning, meaning will be attached to particular
sounds. The effects of these sounds on various
types of performance tasks, which have a number of
built-in subsidiary tasks, will be determined.
Starting in FY 76, NIOSH is planning a new study of worker accidents and
near-accidents in noisy job settings relative to implicating noise as a
contributing causal factor.
3.4 Measurement Methodology and Calibration
NIOSH conducts research to improve instrumentation, test systems and
survey methodologies to support research in industrial hearing conservation.
and occupational noise control and to improve acoustic measurement tech-
niques in general. The agency has two research projects in measurement
methodology and calibration. Funding level for this effort are shown in
Table D-9.
The following specific research efforts are underway:
o Work on the NIOSH audiometric measurement activity
includes the study of alternative methods of
measuring occupational hearing loss, construction
of a programmable electro-acoustic test system,
and investigation of methods for automatic process-
ing of audiometric data.
• The agency's current project on improved methods for
occupational noise survey includes: laboratory and
field tests on noise dosimeters, development of im-
proved methods for their usage, and development of
performance tests for use in the NIOSH certification
program.
D-19
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Table D-9
NIOSH RESEARCH IN MEASUREMENT METHODOLOGY AND CALIBRATION
Specific Measurement Methodology and Calibration
Efforts* Funding Level
(Thousands of Dollars)
General Activity: Industrial Hearing
Conservation Practices, Acoustic Meas-
urements , and Occupational Noise Control FY 73 FY 74 FY 75
1. Industrial Audiometric, Hearing Conservation
Technology and Noise Control (31)2 52 80
2. Measurement of Occupational Noise (32)2 44 28
TOTALS 63 96 108
does not use the terms "program" and "project" in the
same sense as this report. Thus their use has been avoided.
2The project titles were not the same in FY 73.
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4. POD
DOD pursues current major research efforts in the following categories:
• Noise-induced hearing loss
• Individual behavior effects
• Communication interference
• Measurement methodology and calibration.
DOD also conducts current research efforts in the following categories:
• Nonauditory health effects
• Community or collective response.
4.1 Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Military agencies of DOD are involved in research on noise-induced
hearing loss by personnel in a wide variety of environments, including:
• Firing of weapons
• Aeronautical operations
• Shipboard compartments.
The overall goal of this research is the conservation of hearing of
personnel by setting and adhering to exposure criteria where possible and
providing protective devices in other cases.
The Army, Navy, and Air Force each have research programs in noise-
induced hearing loss, with a total of thirteen specific projects. These
are listed together with project funding levels in Table D-10.
U.S. Army Program - The goals of the Army program in noise-induced hearing
loss are to identify the causes and relationships between hearing loss and
exposure to noise in the environments of the various army branches and to
determine how to protect the hearing of Army personnel.
The Army prepared three technical reports in FY 73 on its work on the
relationship of hearing change to acoustic inputs which present findings
which seriously question existing theories of auditory damage risk and
could result in significant changes in theory if verified.
The following specific projects are being pursued under the Army
program of research in noise-induced hearing loss:
D-21
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Table D-10
DOD RESEARCH IN NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. Projects
U.S. Army Program
Funding Level
(Thousands of Dollars)
FY 73 FY 74 FY 75*
1. Military Performance-Traumatic Origins
of Hearing Loss 0 0
2. Relationship of Hearing Change to
Acoustic Inputs 62 66
3. Prevalence of Hearing Loss Within
Selected U.S. Army Branches 0 20
4. Hearing Conservation: Intense Acoustic
Stimulation and Noise Susceptibility in
the Military Environment 46 0
U.S. Navy Program
1. Communications: Hearing of Naval Personnel
as a Function of Noise Exposure 20 0
2. Study of Anatomic Changes in the Middle Ear
Associated with Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
and Acoustic Trauma 10 19
3. Middle Ear Compliance and Its Relationship
to Military-Related Noise-Induced Hearing
Loss and Acoustic Trauma 8 13
4. The Incidence of Hearing Loss Among Various
Navy Rated Personnel 0 50
5. Development of Damage Risk Criteria and
Habitability Standards for Exposure to Sonar
Transmissions . 20 25
U.S. Air Force Program.
1. Effects of Noise on Air Force Personnel in
Operational Environments 20 49
2. Research on Permanent and Temporary Shifts in
Hearing Thresholds Produced by Exposure to
Air Force Noise 0 2
3. Auditory Responses to Acoustic Energy Experienced
in Air Force Activities 24 22
4. Human Subjects for Operating Acoustic Research 38 35
TOTALS 248 301 301*
*DOD FY 75 data estimated the* same as FY 74.
D-22
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• Analysis of causes of hearing loss, beginning with
the cochlea and proceeding to higher levels of the
nervous system. Changes in sensitivity are followed
as animal ears are exposed to high intensity pure
tones and impulses, followed by histology.
• Investigation of the prevalence of hearing loss in
selected Army branches (infantry, artillery, and
armor) and its relationship to the length of time
in the service.
• A study of premature hearing loss by Army troops.
This work includes an evaluation of current noise
sources and the effectiveness of protective devices
and current hearing conservation practices in the
field.
U.S. Navy Program - The U.S. Navy program of research in noise-induced
hearing loss is directed to development of increased knowledge of the
mechanisms of anatomic change involved, to define the incidence of noise-
induced hearing loss in Navy job specialties, and to develop hearing
conservation standards-for specific job specialties. The following
specific projects are being pursued under the Navy program:
• A study of anatomic changes in the middle ear
associated with noise-induced hearing loss
and acoustic trauma. Histologic examinations
of temporal bones from autopsies are evaluated
for changes in the auditory nerve and organ of
corti, results of which are then correlated with
the background of noise exposure and acoustic
trauma as well as with clinical findings
including the audiogram.
• A study correlating middle ear compliance audio-
grams and noise exposure histories.designed to
provide new and productive data regarding suscep-
tibility to noise-induced hearing loss in military
personnel.
• A study of the incidence of noise-induced hearing
loss among Navy personnel working in various Navy
rated job specialties.
U.S. Air Force Program - The Air Force research program is directed toward
defining risks of noise-induced hearing loss in Air Force environments and
for developing regulations and guidelines for hearing conservation.
The Air Force prepared a comprehensive document for establishment of
criteria for limiting noise levels to protect hearing of personnel and a
review document on infrasound and hearing.
D-23
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Research on effects of noise on Air Force personnel has resulted in
auditory damage risk criteria published in AFR 161-35 titled Hazardous Noise
Exposure. It was found that all categories of Air Force aircraft studied
contained definite degrees of auditory risk to unprotected ears according
to the newly adopted auditory risk limits.
Air Force research on temporary threshold shift for 16-hour exposures
has been submitted for publication in the professional literature. Subjects
tested showed varying response including some with an asymptote-type response
after eight hours, some with a continued sharp rise of TTS for the entire 16
hours and a few with asymptotic effects after one-hour exposure. Data have
not been fruitful in predicting noise-induced permanent threshold shift. It
was being considered that the magnitude of asymptotic levels of TTS or the
rate at which the asymptote is approached may be an appropriate predictor for
noise-induced hearing loss.
The following specific projects are being pursued under the Air Force
program:
• A study of the hearing status of Air Force personnel
in the operational environment and development of
special tests for selection and continuance of person-
nel in career fields involving noisy environments.
• Research on permanent and temporary shifts in hearing
threshold produced by exposure to Air Force environments.
• An investigation of hearing loss, personal sound protec-
tive devices, infrasonic and impulsive signals, and
related subjects. The work is directed toward development
of regulations and guidelines for risk to hearing.
4.2 Nonauditory Health Effects
The Air Force had a single research project in FY 73 on the effects of
acoustical energy on vestibular functioning. Goals of this research were to
develop an understanding of the conditions and manner in which high intensity
noise effects the equilibrium and produces disorientation and to conttibute
to the development of threshold criteria for hazardous exposure to high
intensity sound.
A review paper on Air Force research on the effects of infrasound on the
vestibular system was prepared on this project.
Funding level on this project was $10,000 in FY 73.
4.3 Individual Behavior Effects
This agency's research efforts are directed toward defining and analyzing
the effects of exposure on personnel, evaluating and optimizing the performance
D-24
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under the exposures encountered in the military services and evaluating
protective devices for mitigating response to noise. The Army, Navy,
and Air Force each have research programs in this category. The current
Air Force program includes research of a more fundamental nature.
Six specific research projects were underway in the FY 73-74 period,
for which funding levels are shown in Table D-12.
The following specific project activity was pursued:
U.S. Army - The army project is directed toward developing predictive
models of noise effects on soldiers' performance and improving existing
noise criteria, including effects of long-term exposure. A new Army
Materiel Command noise standard was published and the first Army-wide
military standard on noise limits was fully coordinated and published.
U.S. Navy - Current Navy research on individual behavior effects of
noise is directed toward evaluating and optimizing human performance
under exposure to noise in submarine and aircraft environments.
Laboratory evaluations have been conducted on headsets proposed for
use by acoustic sensor operators in antisubmarine warfare patrol and on
military noise cancelling microphones. Experiments have been conducted
on the effects of high noise levels on sonar doppler and on auditory
tracking of a signal under perceptual arrangements. The following two
specific projects are currently in progress:
• In its work on auditory performance in submarines,
the Navy is studying the physical characteristics
of sound systems and the performance of operators.
This includes work on hearing sensitivity and
auditory vigilance by behavioral and electrophysio-
logical means under various conditions of complex
auditory displays. Parameters in target detection
are to be specified and their quantitative effect
on target detection determined.
• The second project is directed to optimizing auditory
performance in naval acoustical environments and
minimizing problems arising from the many forms of
sound/man interaction, including auditory fatigue
due to prolonged exposure to flight operation
noises. New tests and procedures are being devel-
oped and evaluated to assess man's ability to
perform auditory tasks and otherwise enable individ-
uals to operate efficiently in naval aviation
acoustical environments.
U.S. Air Force - Air Force concerns regarding individual behavior effects
cover a wide range of intense noise environments affecting motor
D-25
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Table D-ll
DOD RESEARCH ON INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR EFFECTS
Projects on Individual Behavior Effects Funding Level
(Thousands of Dollars)
U.S. Army Program FY 73 FY 74 FY 75
1. Improved Weapon Noise Exposure Criteria 62 66
U.S. Navy Program
1. Optimization of Performance in Submarine 54 44
2. Optimization of Auditory Performance in
Naval Aviation 40 35
U.S. Air Force Program
1. Simultaneous Exposure to Acoustic Energy and
Other Stressors Found in Air Force Environments 7 3
2. Whole Body Effects of Air Force Noise on People 24 18
3. Research on Intermittent Noise Effects on Air
Force Target Detection Tasks 46 0
i ——
TOTALS 233 166 166*
*FY 75 data estimated the same as FY 74
D-26
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performance, vestibular functioning, physiological functioning, thought
processes, and the contribution to apprehension and fatigue of personnel.
Eight years of in-house research on whole body effects of Air Force
noise environments on people were published in Air Force reports and
summarized in a paper published in the Proceedings of the International
Congress on Noise as a Public Health Problem sponsored by EPA. A study
of human performance effects of impulsive noise, randomly varied with
respect to intensity, duration and time of occurence, has been prepared.
The following specific projects are currently under underway:
• A research study on simultaneous exposure to acoustic
energy and other stresses found in Air Force environ-
ments which combines controlled acoustic exposures
with mechanical whole body vibration of volunteers to
determine effects of the combined exposures on psycho-
motor task performance, mental or cognitive performance,
temporary threshold shift, and possible subjective judg-
ments of acceptability. Single stress effects are being
compared to the measured multiple stress effects to
determine differential contributions of the respective
stress conditions.
• A study of whole body effects of Air Force noise on
people that involves investigation of numerous types
of noises and exposure conditions in which accomplish-
ment of the Air Force mission may be threatened. The
approach is to measure the effects of the many kinds
of noise (infrasound, audio frequencies, impulses) on
standard and special performance tasks, circulation
in the peripheral members, on physiological processes,
on mental tasks such as memory, and on various measures
of vestibular functioning such as equilibrium, counter-
rolling of the eyes and nystagmus. Findings are used
to establish exposure limits beyond which undesirable
effects may occur. Much of this work is possible only
because of the unique stimulus generators available at
the Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory.
4.4 Communication Interference
DOD research in communication interference is directed toward enhanc-
ing or optimizing intelligibility of speech and signals in military
acoustical environments. Current interests are in air/ground and ground/
air communications and personnel communications in submarine and shipboard
jobs requiring high levels of auditory acuity. Another goal of DOD
research in communication interference is to reevaluate criteria and
validate audiometric standards for Navy ships.
D-27
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The Navy and Air Force have current program activity related to commun-
ication interference and the Army has also done prior work in this category.
Funding levels for DOD research in this category are shown in Table D-12.
The following specific projects are being pursued on the current DOD
programs:
• Work on optimization of speech communication in naval
aviation involves development and evaluation of new
tests and procedures to assessing the ability of air-
crewmen to communicate in various naval aviation
acoustical environments and the capability of air-to-
ground and ground-to-air communicating systems to
transmit intelligible speech. Investigations to date
indicate that preferred listening levels for speech of
aviators and aircrew personnel probably represent speech
levels where maximum intelligibility can be achieved.
Preferred signal-to-noise ratios have been identified
for certain noise levels.
• A second Navy project is directed toward development
of auditory screening and acoustical tolerance standards
for submarine and shipboard personnel. Experimental
studies are being conducted to assess auditory perception
of a variety of speech materials and signal stimuli,
embedded in various background sound fields, for personnel
of differing levels of acuity. Longitudinal studies are
conducted to assess changes in hearing abilities among
submarine personnel to identify predictive indices of
hearing loss and the habituation process which enhances
operator auditory acuity. The latter is of potential
benefit in the design of training programs, auditory
aids, or acoustical characteristics of submarine environ-
ment.
Data were collected to evaluate the proficiency of several different
speech reception tests. Four new tests of speech in noise and in quiet have
been constructed. Results of this work are published in a series of reports,
• The current Air Force project involves investigation
of the response of human subjects to pure tones, speech
and noise. Evaluations are being made of new techniques
and instruments for measuring the auditory function of
flying personnel with or without hearing impairment.
Simulated inflight hearing tests are involved.
4.5 Community or Collective Response
Within DOD the Air Force had, in the past, a very considerable involve-
ment in research on community or collective response. However, the USAF had
D-28
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Table D-12
DOD RESEARCH IN COMMUNICATION INTERFERENCE
Projects in Communication Interference
U.S. Navy Program
1. Optimization of Speech Communication in
Naval Aviation
2. Development of Auditory Screening and
Acoustical Tolerance Standards for Sub-
marine/Shipboard Personnel
3. Sound Conduction in the Ear Affecting
Military Communications
Funding Levels
(Thousands of Dollars)
FY 73 FY 74 FY 75*
40
30
26
40
33
0
U.S. Air Force Program
1. Assessment of Hearing in Flying Personnel
TOTALS
28
36
124 109 109*
*FY 75 data estimated the same as FY 74
D-29
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only a single project, Effects of Air Force Noises on Populations Surrounding
Air Bases, active in FY 73 at a funding level of $31,600.
4.6 Measurement Methodology and Calibration
The Army, Navy and Air Force each have research programs in measurement
methodology. Objectives of this work are to provide specialized support of
noise health effects research through development and upgrading of measurement
systems, procedures, equipment, and facilities. Activities pursued on these
programs include:
• Development of new measurement methodology and test
procedures and criteria
• Evaluation/validation of measurement procedures
• Instrumentation development
• Development of conceptual computational procedures
and major computer software
• Developing procedures for assessing/predicting
effects
• Establishing and operating environmental noise
data banks
• Developing instrument calibration techniques and
equipment.
• Developing equipment and procedures for evaluating
human response.
Seven current research projects are underway. Program/project relations
and funding levels for this effort are shown in Table D-13.
The following seven specific projects were underway in the FY 73-74
period:
U.S. Army Program
• The Army's research on psychoacoustic problems in
aviation included development of a new measurement
methodology and quality control test for real-ear
sound attenuation characteristics of helmets and
a test for an advanced voice communication system.
A new helmet for tank crewmen was tested and
accepted as a standard.
D-30
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Table D-13
DOD RESEARCH IN MEASUREMENT METHODOLOGY AND CALIBRATION
Projects in Measurement Methodology
and Calibration Funding Levels
(Thousands of Dollars)
U.S. Army Program FY 73 FY 74 FY 75*
1. Research in Psychoacoustical Problems
Medically Significant to Army Aviation . . 85 195
U.S. Navy Program
1. Airborne Noise Criteria for Ships and
Submarines • 69 74
U.S. Air Force Program
1. Mechanics of Noise Generation, Propagation
and Reception as Related to Air Force
Bioacoustic Problems 3 2
2. Bioacoustic Environments of USAF Aerospace
Systems 92 68
3. Bioenvironmental Noise/Research Program 43 0
4. Development and Updating of Air Force Land
Use Planning Procedure with Respect to
Aircraft Noise 32 0
5. Measurement and Analysis of Aircraft Noise
Environments for Developing New Air Force
Procedures to Forecast Noise Exposure . . 13 15
TOTALS 337 354 354*
*FY 75 data estimated the same as FY 74
D-31
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U.S. Navy Program
• The Navy's research on noise criteria for ships and
submarines emphasizes the establishment of measurement
methods and criteria for limiting airborne noise in
ship spaces and enforceable specifications for acceptable
noise by equipments produced for use on naval vessels.
Work included obtaining and comparing measurements of
airborne noise in various ship compartments with measures
of performance and habitability, and the evaluation/
validation of the adequacy of measurement procedures
under actual shipboard conditions, in the laboratory,
in the field, and in equipment contractor plants.
U.S. Air Force Program
• A bioenvironmental noise research project to provide
technical procedures, data and software required to
define the high-level noise environments generated by
Air Force weapons systems, determine the effect on man,
and provide such information to user groups.
This involved establishment and operation of a data
bank for storing and retrieving bioenvironmental noise
data and developing extensive major software to process
and extrapolate measured environmental noise data.
A wide variety of environmental and laboratory test
stimuli were also measured and analyzed, including air
bag transients, aircraft engine noise, and speech
samples. Equipment and procedures were, developed for
evaluating effects of noise and performance.
Special techniques and equipment were developed to
calibrate various types of acoustic instrumentation.
• A project on mechanisms of noise generation, propagation
and reception to provide engineering methods necessary
to compute high noise level environments (e.g., ground
runup). This work was undertaken to improve the algorithms
used to predict far-field noise levels for application in
both the Bioenvironmental Data Handbook and the noise
exposure forecast program.
• A study of bioacoustic environments of aerospace systems
in which noise environments are measured, analyzed, and
simulated by means of precision analog and digital
ins trumentation.
D-32
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A very small noise recording system, called Micropak,
was developed to be worn by pilots for obtaining noise
data where space limitations are severe. A unique
pistonphone was developed for calibrating microphones
at infrasonic frequencies.
The measurement of noise from numerous types of
military aircraft and analysis and processing for
use in calculating noise exposure forecasts. This
work was undertaken to improve the accuracy and relia-
bility of noise exposure forecast computations based
on data files which had contained only estimated data
on many aircraft systems.
A project to develop a fully computerized computational
methodology to automatically plot contours of equal
exposure levels about an air base.
5. NASA
NASA conducts current major research efforts in three categories, noise
effects on sleep, community or collective response, and measurement method-
ology.
5.1 Noise Effects on Sleep
The objective of NASA research in this category is to understand the
relationship between aircraft noise exposure and sleep interference.
The agency's work in this area is part of an ongoing research program on
human response to noise which includes projects devoted largely to aircraft
noise effects on sleep as well as other major projects in community and
collective response and measurement methodology.
NASA's project on the human response to the aeronautical environment
is directed toward understanding the psychophysiological effects of air-
craft noise on people and to develop a quantitative understanding of
individual response to noise exposure. This includes assessment of
subjective reactions and effects on sleep, effects on hearing, and develop-
ment of research evaluation techniques and measuring scales. Emphasis is
placed on laboratory studies with complementary studies in communities
exposed to noise and with special overflight programs where selected juries
are exposed to noise. Studies are concerned with responses of people
during both awake and sleep periods and under background noise conditions
associated with outdoor, indoor and inflight situations.
Laboratory studies to evaluate noise effects on sleep are supplemented
by initial studies of sleep responses of people living in communities
exposed to commercial flight operation noise. Studies are being conducted
in contractors' laboratories to evaluate both awakening and nonawakening
effects of noise on sleep.
Funding levels for this effort are shown in Table D-14.
D-33
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Table D-14
NASA RESEARCH ON NOISE EFFECTS ON SLEEP
•
Project In Noise Effects on Sleep Funding Levels
(Thousands of Dollars)
Program: Human Response* to Noise FY 73 FY 74 FY 75
Human response to the Aeronautical Environment 217 254 142
TOTALS 217 254 142
*Total program includes work in community or collective
response and measurements.
Table D-15
NASA RESEARCH IN COMMUNITY OR COLLECTIVE RESPONSE
Projects in Community or Collective Response Funding Levels
(Thousands of Dollars)
Program: Human Response to Noise FY 73 FY 74 FY 75
1. Acceptance of Aircraft Operations - Technology
Assessment 173 172 232
2. Acceptance of Aircraft Operations - Community
Noise 205 319 422
TOTALS 378 491 654
D-34
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5.2 Community or Collective Response and Measurements
NASA research is conducted under its Human Response to Noise program
whose overall goal is to develop an understanding of the relationship
between aircraft noise exposure and annoyance, e.g., to define and
quantify those properties of aircraft noise exposure that cause negative
individual and community response to air transportation systems.
Specific targets set for the NASA program are:
• Devising proper methodologies for laboratory and
field studies of human response to aircraft oper-
ations. FY 1975.
• Determining effects of multievent noise exposure
characteristics on human response to aircraft
operations. FY 1975.
• Quantifying the effects of background environ-
mental noise exposure on the human response to
aircraft-generated noise. FY 1975.
• Studying the effects of low frequency noise
characteristics generated by present and future
aircraft on auditory and nonauditory responses
of people. FY 1979.
• Developing a model for reliable prediction of
responses of people to aircraft operations that
will satisfy laboratory and field conditions.
FY 1980.
The NASA program includes two specific projects in community-collective
response plus project work in other categories. Program/project relation-
ships and funding levels for NASA research in this category are shown in
Table D-15 on page 34.
The following specific projects are currently underway:
• NASA has a technology assessment project for develop-
ing an understanding of the social effects of large-
scale air transportation systems and to design
technology leading to improved safety and comfort
of aircraft crew and passengers. This project includes
in-house studies of the human response to aircraft
sound stimuli. Human test subjects will be asked to
give category judgment of aircraft sounds, including
STOL signatures.
D-35
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NASA also has a current community noise study which
includes evaluation of: noise characteristics of
advanced VTOL and STOL aircraft; acoustic retrofit
systems for CTOL aircraft; and noise alleviation
procedures for aircraft and airport operations.
This work will provide criteria for prediction of
community acceptance of aircraft operations/community
noise. Emphasis will be placed on laboratory studies
and airport-community studies/surveys which may be
supplemented by programmed overflight studies. These
studies will be closely interrelated with, or in support
of, NASA project activities (STOL) and with the DOT/FAA
programs to control aircraft and airport noise. The
laboratory techniques employed range from listening
room testing with trained subject, to real-life
situations where test environments represent the
airport-community/home and where the test subjects
may be people plagued by aircraft noise. These efforts
efforts are summarized in Table D-16
Table D-16
NASA RESEARCH IN MEASUREMENTS
Project.in Measurement Methodology and Calibration Funding Level
(Thousands of Dollars)
Program: Human Response to Noise FY 73 FY 74 FY 75
Acceptance of Aircraft Operations (Characterization
of V/STOL Noise) 532 409 404
6. DOT
DOT has had recent research efforts in two categories, individual behavior
effects and community or collective response.
6.1 Individual Behavior Effects
DOT had no project work under way in this category in FY 74. A program
on startle effects of sonic boom was underway in FAA in .FY 73, consisting
of two specific projects. The U.S. Coast Guard also had foghorn aversive-
ness under investigation at NBS in FY 73. Funding levels for these projects
are shown in Table D-17.
D-36
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Table D-17
DOT RESEARCH ON INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR EFFECTS
Projects on Individual Behavior Effects Funding Levels
(Thousands of Dollars)
FY 73 FY 74 FY 75
1. Field Study of Sonic Boom Startle
Effects 18 0 0
2. Determinants of Startle Response to
Simulated Sonic Booms 27 0 0
Foghorn Aversiveness Study 5 0 0
TOTALS 50 0 0"
D-37
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6.2 Community or Collective Response
DOT research in this category is concerned with providing a valid
measure of effectiveness for assessing relative benefits of alternative
means for reducing transportation-related noises. DOT is concerned with
all modes of transportation in this regard.
DOT has had a considerable program involvement in this area in the past.
The agency's program now consists of one current project in the category
which is scheduled for completion in June 1975. This consists of testing
the feasibility of a technique developed on the project to assess the relative
importance of various noises to the public, particularly transportation
noises, and to determine the validity of a "personal noise exposure index"
model for community noise impact representation. Specific research work
consists of: developing the "personal noise exposure index" model; measuring
the daily noise exposure of 30 to 50 individuals; correlating noise exposure,
noise sources and reported annoyance; evaluating the usefulness of the ana-
lytical model and developing a plan for its refinement if the concept is
judged beneficial.
Two alternative approaches to measuring human response to noise have
been tested, and two separate plans developed for a national noise measure-
ment program. Results of this research are published in a series of four
Government technical reports.
Funding levels for this project are $130,000 for FY 74 and $50,000 for
FY 75; about $295,000 was funded for this program prior to FY 73.
7. DOC(NBS)
NBS has a major research effort in individual behavior effects.
NBS1 objectives in noise health effects are to: establish a more con-
sistent and valid psychophysical foundation for measuring the effects of
sound on people with application to noise abatement and control; develop
new measurement procedures for obtaining psychoacoustic data and elaborate
through empirical experiments an interlocking system of techniques for
assessing human response to sound with built-in opportunities for cross-
validation.
The NBS program in psychoacoustic measurement has one current project,
titled Fsychoacoustic Measurement Techniques, and funded as follows:
FY 73: $ 98,000
FY 74: $117,000
FY 75: $142,000.
Specific NBS project activity on loudness measurement includes:
analyzing previous research on loudness, noisiness, and aversiveness of
sounds; evaluating the psychoacoustic measurement techniques as applied
D-38
-------
to standardizing methods for calculating the loudness, noisiness,
annoyance, etc., of sound; and developing new psychoacoustic measurement
techniques based on operational definitions of behavioral responses
with the biases due to verbal instruction minimized.
Equal aversion levels have been established for pure tones and
1/3-octave measures, the aversiveness of three full-octave bands were
determined and compared with auditory-evoked potential brain wave
recordings from the subjects; the preference relations among various
acoustic stimuli were examined by means of a binary switching response
not involving verbal descriptors. In addition, a variable interval
schedule was used to determine the relative aversiveness of several
pure tone stimuli.
Extension of the work calls for establishing preference relations
among sounds of varying frequency and intensity using pure tones and
white noise; determining the relative aversiveness of sound of different
spectral content and cross-validating by different methodologies.
8. HUD
HUD_has major research efforts in two categories, community or
collective response and measurement methodology and calibration.
8.1 Community or Collective Response
HUD pursues research in community or collective response in order to
provide the necessary RD&D to technically support the Department's policies
and operating programs and to provide guidance for land usage near major -
noise sources. Prior HUD research has provided technical background for
the preparation of two documents, "HUD Noise Abatement Guidelines" and
"HUD Noise Assessment Guidelines" which have been widely distributed for
use in implementing the supporting Department policy.
HUD's current program of research on community or collective response
consists of two projects, funding levels for which are shown in Table D-18.
The following specific project work is being performed:
• HUD is conducting a comprehensive nationwide study and
systematic evaluation of the effectiveness and impact
of the Department's noise policy and of its "Noise
Assessment Guideline." The work is being pursued with
a view toward their revision and improvement.
• HUD also expects to initiate a broad study of the
effects of noise on community development in FY 75.
This will include work on acoustical criteria for
various land use ordinances and building codes, the
D-39
-------
Table D-18
HUD RESEARCH IN COMMUNITY OR COLLECTIVE RESPONSE
Projects in Community or Collective Response Funding Level
(Thousands of Dollars)
FY 73 FY 74 FY 75
1. Evaluation of HUD Noise Policies and
Guidelines 0 200 185
2. Effects of. Noise on Community Development 0 0 225
TOTALS 0 200 410
Table D-19
HUD RESEARCH IN MEASUREMENT METHODOLOGY AND CALIBRATION
Projects in Measurement Methodology and
and Calibration Funding Level
(Thousands of Dollars)
FY 73 FY 74 FY 75
1. HUD Urban Noise Measurement System 117 263 0
2. Development of Noise Attenuation Measures 0 175 50_
TOTALS 117 438 50
D-40
-------
effects of noise on housing markets and land values,
and the noise compatibility of intra- and inter-
urban transportation with community development.
8.2 Measurement Methodology and Calibration
HUD research in measurement methodology is directed toward developing
measurement systems for use in enforcing HUD departmental standards on
noise abatement and control. The agency has one program of two specific
research projects in this category as shown in Table D-19 on page 40.
Under this program HUD funded a project performed by NBS in FY 74
to develop an inexpensive portable urban noise exposure measure-
ment system which separates potential housing sites into "clearly
acceptable" or "clearly unacceptable" for HUD housing and to demonstrate
a measurement system for evaluating sites not clearly within either of
these categories as an alternative to acquiring needed data through a
full-scale survey.
In pursuance of HUD goals, NBS is developing an instrumentation
system consisting of two units, an outdoor "monitor" which is left on
the building site and a "reader" which interrogates the monitor. The
monitor will be a self-contained, battery-operated unit which registers,
on internal memory, the times in any 24-hour period during which the
noise level exceeded 45, 65, 75, and 80 dBA. Seventeen units are being
procured by HUD for field test by NBS in cooperation with HUD field
offices. Additionally, the instruction manual developed by NBS will
be field tested.
NBS is also assisting HUD in the comprehensive evaluation of the
noise measurement systems in HUD Regional, Area and Insuring Offices
across the nation.
9. EPA
EPA has current research efforts in six of the eight categories of
health effects research. This includes a major research effort in
individual behavior effects plus research efforts in the following
categories:
• Noise-induced hearing loss
• Nonauditory health effects
• Individual behavior effects
• Noise effects on sleep
• Communication interference
• Measurement methodology and calibration.
D-41
-------
9.1 Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Determination of effects of noise and vibration on hearing sensations
and on human performance. This included investigation of the effects on
human performance of whole body vibration combined with a random amplitude
modulated pure tone presented to the auditory system (FY 74 $25,000).
Effects of long exposure to noise on hearing threshold. Research
includes investigations to determine whether recovery from an asymptotic
auditory temporary threshold shift is independent of the duration at
which temporary threshold shift is maintained at an asymptotic level.
Exposures are made for continuous noise for 24 and 48 hours. Intermittent
exposures will be included in subsequent experiments. Other studies are
to be conducted in natural living environments under controlled noise
exposures of 48-60 hours (FY 74 $25,000), (FY 74 $70,000).
9.2 Nonauditory Health Effects
Determination of nonauditory system adaptation effects to long-term
repetitive and varying noise. Studies explore the role of various stimulus,
psychological and methodological variables in the elicitation and adaptation
of nonauditory physiological system reactions to sound or noise. Peripheral
blood volume and heart rate of groups of people will be monitored where
ambient acoustic conditions are interrupted with intrusive auditory stimuli
(FY 74 $186,000-2 year study).
9.3 Individual Behavior Effects
Study of behavioral correlates of varying noise environments. A system-
atic review of the literature for the past five years is being made of the
effects of specified noise parameters on motor skills performance. Studies
are being conducted to evaluate the behavioral effects of specified noise
environments on motor skill tasks of varying complexity across subjects
matched on relevant personality and motor skills characteristics (FY 74
$50,000), (FY 75 $50,000).
Studies on the time varying noise effects on human responses. These
studies include the relationships between human responses and physical
parameters of noise for evaluating descriptions of environmental noise.
Verbal and non-verbal descriptors are utilized in determining and evaluating
responses (FY 75 $75,000). Vigilance performance in the presence of
unwanted intermittent noise is being studied using primates (FY 75 $10,000).
9.4 Sleep Interference
Correlational analysis of foreign and domestic scientific data on the
effects of noise on human sleep (FY 75 $17,000).
D-42
-------
9.5 Communication Interference
Determination of improved criteria for verbal communication including
schools, home and laboratory. Analyses of speech and ambient noise levels
are being made at the ear during normal and relaxed conversations in the
home, schools, and laboratory. Additionally, category scale ratings of
the noise environments are being conducted in terms of overall rating of
the noise environment and in terms of speech communication (FY 74 $59,000),
(FY 75 $62,000).
Obtain more complete data on the spectrum and temporal distribution
of speech. A wide range of speakers, including male, female, adult,, and
children, will be used (FY 75 $25,000).
9^6 Measurement Methodology and Calibration
EFA's program in measurement methodology included one project
titled "Instrumentation and Measurement Systems" (FY 73 $24,000),
(FY 74 $32,000). This project was directed toward development of a
personal noise exposure meter with the work being performed at NBS.
Specific project activity included an evaluation of instruments and
measurement systems for recording exposures of individuals and developing
and demonstrating the capabilities of a measurement system which will
record the integrated level above a threshold of dBA over each one-hour
period during a 24-hour day. The system- consists of a monitor worn by
the individual and a reader which interrogates the monitor.
10. DOI(BuMines)
Bureau of Mines has three projects in effects of noise in relation
to mine safety and health. Two projects address the problem of the
miner's ability to hear "roof talk" warning signals while wearing hearing
protection, and the other project is the state-of-the-art in portable
calibration of audiodosimeters. The titles and funding are shown in
Table D-20.
10.1 Communication Interference
The project "Aspects of Noise Generation and Hearing Protection in
Underground Coal Mines" was begun in FY 72 and was completed in FY 73.
The objective of this study was to quantitatively identify the spectral
and amplitude characteristics of coal mine warning signals and assess
the feasibility of using personal ear protection to minimize noise
exposure but not impair miners' safety. A report (NTIS No. PB219087)
with the same title as the project was published in November 1972. Roof
talk warning signals and roof talk and speech discrimination with ear
protection were'quantified for the Pittsburgh coalbed. The study .indicated
that ear protection is acceptable when there are high background noises
but that the ear -protection should be removed when noise sources are not
present.
D-43
-------
Table D-20
DOI(BuMines)
NOISE EFFECTS RESEARCH
Projects in Communication Interference
Funding Levels
(Thousands of Dollars)
FY 73 FY 74 FY 75
1. Aspects of Noise Generation and Hearing
Protection in Underground Coal Mines 100
2. Study of Roof Warning Signals and the
Use of Personal Hearing Protection in
Underground Coal Mines 71 8 0
Projects in Measurement Methodology and
Calibration
Portable Calibration Instrumentation for
Audiodosimeters - Feasibility Study 0 15
TOTALS 72 23
D-44
-------
The project "Study of Roof Warning Signals and the Use of Personal
Hearing Protection in Underground Coal Mines" extended the previous
study of roof warning signals to other (high-accident) coalbeds. It also
determined the effects of personal bearing protection on miners' safety
with a larger number of subjects. A training course in the use of
personal hearing protection in coal mines was also developed.
10.2 Measurement Methodology and Calibration
The Bureau of Mines' project in this category is intended to determine
the state-of-the-art in audio acoustic couplers and the associated elec-
tronic interface. The output will be a report giving the state-of-the-art
tthe specifications achievable with existing technology for a portable
calibration instrument for audio dosimeters, and a proposal for design
and fabrication of an achievable calibrator.
D-45
-------
APPENDIX E
PROJECT LISTING BY AGENCY
Agency Page
NINDS E-3
NIEHS E-6
NIOSH E-8
DOD E-13
NASAQ E-19
DOT E-20
NSF E-21
NBS E-23
HUD E-24
EPA E-25
USDA E-29
DOI(BuMines) E-29
E-I
-------
TABLES
Number Page
E-l National Institute of Neurological Diseases and d E-3
Stroke
E-2 National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences E-6
E-3 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health E-8
E-4 Department of Defense E-13
E-5 National Aeronautics and Space Administration E-19
E-6 Department of Transportation E-20
E-7 National Science Foundation E-21
E-8 National Bureau of Standards E-23
E-9 Department of Housing and Urban Development E-24
E-10 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency E-25
E-ll Department of Agriculture E-29
E-12 Bureau of Mines E-29
E-2
-------
Table E-l
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(page 1 of 3 pages)
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES AND STROKE
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category Project Number Project Title Total Prior to
Initial Year
Indicated FY-72 FY-73 FY-74 FY-75 FY-76 FY-77 FY-78 FY-79
w
Noise-
Induced
Hearing
Loss
4403-12(Grant)
3705-09(Grant)
N01 NS OS-Se-
ll (Grant)
Susceptibility
to Hearing
Loss
Causes of
Deafness
Auditory
Communications
and its Dis-
orders
NS-09983(Grant) Noise Effects
on Audiogram
and Cochlea
Planned
Contract
NS-74-0001
(Contract)
In-House
Research
Economic
and Social
Impacts of
Noise Induced
Hearing Loss
Effect of3
Noise on
Children
4
Laboratory of
Otolaryngology
220
2,480
(3,773)'
37
45 47 49 51
365 387 413 440
(461)' (586) (598)1 (615)' (613)1 (642)'
37
150 300 300
20
28 15 15 20 21 21
-------
Table E-.l
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Page 2 of 3 pages)
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES AND STROKE
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category Project Number Project Title
Total Prior to
Initial Year
Indicated FY-72 FY-73 FY-74 FY-75 FY-76 FY-77 FY-78 FY-79
Planned Work
w
Planned
Contract
Planned
Contract
Experimental
Studies of
Effects of
Noise on
Young Ears
(Primates)
Auditory
Responses
in Quiet and
Noise Among
Very Young
Children
Presbycusis
Auditory
Sensitivity and
Discrimination
Among Children
Living in Noisy
Environments
340 550 500 600 350
120 250 400 440 500
120 300
40
330
125 250
Non-Audi- Planned Work
tory Health
Effects
Effects of Noise
on Susceptibility
to Disease
120 200 250 400
-------
Table E-l
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Page 3 of 3 pages)
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES AND STROKE
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category Project Number Project Title Total Prior to
Initial Year
Indicated FY-72 FY-73 FY-74 FY-75 FY-76 FY-77 FY-78 FY-79
H
I
v/i
NS-07908-07
Communi- NS-74-2322
cation (Contract)
Inter-
ference
Noise-Induced
Deafness:
Masking &
Speech Perception
Development of
Test Instrument
for Assessing
Speech Discrimi-
nation in Noise
Message
Transmission in
Noise
461
79
140
100
100 100 100
130
Subtotals
by
Category
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Non-Auditory Health Effects
Communication Interference
447 482 1057 1756 1590 1486 1121
120 200 250 400
__79 140 100 100 100 230
TOTALS
526 622 1157 1876 1890 1836 1751
Project funding covers work in other areas and is not included
2
Initiated in FY-75 only if additional funds become available
3
Includes study of non-auditory effects of noise
Portion of laboratory's effort oriented towards effects of noise
-------
Table E-2
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Page 1 of 2 pages)
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category Project Number Project Title
Total Prior to
Initial Year
Indicated FY-72 FY-73 FY-74 FY-75 FY-76 FY-77 FY-78 FY-79
NIEHS-EB-002
NIEHS-EB-002
W
i
Noise-
Induced
Hearing
Loss
R01 ES 969
NIEHS-EB-009
NIEHS-EB-008
Investigation
of Hearing
Loss Threshold
Curve for Young
versus Mature
Animals
Combined Effect
of Noise and Sali-
cylates on Cochlear
Morphology & Auditory
Threshold
Combined Impulse-
Continuous Noise:
Auditory Effect
Identification of
Physiological Dysfunction
in Neurosensory Hearing
Loss Induced by Ototoxic
Agents
Physiological Study of
Auditory Fatigue (Induced
by Noise)
25
25
20
51 44 44 45
8 29 29 29 29
8 26 26 26 26
-------
Table E-2
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Page 2 of 2 pages)
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category Project Number
NOL-ES-2110
Project Title Total Prior to
Initial Year
Indicated FY-72 FY-73 FY-74 FY-75 FY-76 FY-77 FY-78 FY-79
Interaction of
Noise & Ototoxic
Drugs on Hearing
Loss in Animals
100 100 100
NIEHS-EB-011
w
NIEHS-EB-012
Non-
Auditory NIEHS-EB-013
Health
Effects
NIEHS-ET-003
NIEHS-EB-004
Effects of Noise
on Corticosterone
Secretion in the
Rat
Noise Polymorpho-
nuclear Leukocyte
Function
Noise & Cellmediated
Immunity
Teratogenic Effects
of Noise Exposure
and Deprivation
Noise in the
Hospital
16
12
8
28 24
10 8
8
Subtotals
by
Category
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Non-Auditory Health Effects
145 192 199
8 66 40
99 100
55
TOTALS
153 258 239
99 100
55
-------
Table E-3
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Page 1 of 5 pages)
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category Project Number Project Title'
Total Prior to
Initial Year
Noise-
Induced
Hearing
Loss
Indicated FY-72
Evaluation
of Hearing
Risk due
to Industrial
FY-73
75
FY-74
79
FY-75'
104
FY-76
w
HSM 99-72-125
HSM 99-72-32
PL 480
Foreign Cur-
rency Agree-
ment No.
05-005-3
Noise
Short Term Phy-3
sical Agents Re-
search: Coal
Mine Noise
Evaluation 40
of Industrial
Acoustic Radi-
ation above
10 KHZ
PTS and TTS 24
Resulting
from Industrial
Noise Exposure
Effects of Noise 213 X
and Vibration 7/68-9/74
on Health of
Woodcutters
35
10
0
-------
Table E-3
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Page 2 of 5 pages)
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category Project Number Project Title
Total Prior to
Initial Year
Indicated FY-72
FY-73
FY-74
FY-751 FY-76
w
i
PL480 Foreign Exposure 99
Currency Agree- to Noise in 7/71-7/75
ment #03-002-03 the Cotton &
Flax Textile
Industry
Laboratory
Studies of
Noise-Induced
Hearing Loss
3
Combined Effects
oh Noise, Work
& Heat on Human
Hearing
87
91
24
18
HSM 99-72-131
NIOSH-IA-73-6
Grant (EGA)
Rol-OH000350
Aspect of Ear
Tolerance to
Noise
Laboratory &
Field Study of
Impact Noise
Damage Risk
Criteria for
Intermittent
Noise Exposure'
50
40
56
47
41
-------
Table E-3
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Page 3 of 5 pages)
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
(Thousands of Dollars)
2 2
Category Project Number Project Title
Total Prior to
Initial Year
PL480 Foreign Noise and
Currency Agree- Heat Effects
ment #05-0142 on Man
Indicated FY-72
167
5/72-4/77
FY-73
X
FY-74
X
FY-75
X
FY-76
X
Grant (OEA)
1 R01
OH00364
w
i
Effects of
Impulse Noise
on the Auditory
System
Noise and
Hearing in the
Paper Working
Industry
91
69
76
41
Non-
Auditory
Health
Effects
Extra Auditory
Consequence to
Worker Safety
and Health
42
Effects of
Noise on
Non-Auditory
Sensory Func-
tions and
Performance
Health Impact
of Industrial
Noise
78
21
New
-------
Table E-3
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Page 4 of 5 pages)
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
Category Project Number Project Title
2
Total Prior to
Initial Year
Indicated
FY-72 FY-73 FY-74 FY-75 FY-76
Effects of
Noise and
Heat on
Health of
Workers in
Metal Industry
30
Individual Grant R01
Behavior OH-00366
w Effects
Grant R01
OH-00365
Effects of
Three Sound
Environments
on Human Be-
havior
Noise and
Human Per-
formance
Noise and
Industrial
Accidents
8
20
New
Measure-
ment Meth-
odology &
Calibration
Industrial
Audiometric
& Hearing
Conservation
Technology
31
52
80
-------
Table E-3
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Page 5 of 5 pages)
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category Project Number2 Project Title2 Total Prior to
Initial Year
Indicated FY-72 FY-73 FY-74 FY-751 FY-76
Sub-
totals
by
w Category
..
Measurement
of Occupa-
tional
Noise
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss 64
Non-Auditory Health Effects
Individual Behavior Effects
32 44 28
224 341 352 117
108 42 21
28
NJ
Measurement Methodology and 63 96 108
Calibration
TOTALS 64 395 507 481 117
Figures Approximate
2
NIOSH does not use the term "Project" for this level of research activity
Project titles were not the same in FY 73
-------
Table E-4
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Page 1 of 6 pages)
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category Project Number Project Title
Total Prior to
Initial Year
Indicated FY-72
FY-73 FY-74 FY-75
w
M
u>
Noise-
Induced
Hearing
Loss
DAOA-6082 (USA)
DNOA-A956 (USA)
DAOC-7028 (USA)
DAOB-7030 (USA)
DN-123487 (USN)
DN-240004 (USN)
DN-240059 (USN)
Military Performance -
Traumatic Origins of
Hearing Loss
Relationship of Hearing
Change to Acoustic Inputs
Prevalence of Hearing Loss
within Selected U.S. Army
Branches
Hearing Conservation Intense
Acoustic Stimulation and
Noise Susceptibility in the
Military Environment
Communications: Hearing of
Naval Personnel as a Function
of Noise Exposure
Study of Anatomic Changes in
Middle Ear Associated with
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
and Acoustic Trauma
Middle Ear Compliance and
Its Relationship to Military
Related Noise-Induced Hearing
Loss & Acoustic Trauma
62
46
20
10
8
66
20
19
13
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Table E-4
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Page 2 of 6 pages)
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category Project Number Project Title
Total Prior to
Initial Year
Indicated FY-72
FY-73 FY-74 FY-75
DN-477001 (USN)
DN-140504 (USN)
w
Noise -
Induced
Hearing
Loss
DF-311650 (USAF)
DF-314140 (USAF)
DF-313060 (USAF)
DF-317610 (USAF)
The Incidence of Hearing
Loss Among Various Navy
Related Personnel
Development of Damage Risk
Criteria and Habitability
Standards for Exposure to
Sonar Transmissions
Effects of Noise on Air
Force Personnel in
Operational Environments
Research on Permanent
and Temporary Shifts in
Hearing Threshold Produced
by Exposure to Air Force
Noise
Auditory Responses to Acoustic
Energy Experienced in Air
Force Activities
Human Subjects for Operating
Acoustic Research
20
50
25
20
49
24
38
22
35
-------
Table E-4
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Page 3 of 6 pages)
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category Project Number Project Title
Total Prior to
Initial Year
Indicated FY-72
FY-73 FY-74 FY-75
w
i
Non-
Auditory
Health
Effects
DR-313120
DAOB-4955 (USA)
DN-840511 (USN)
Research on Response of Vesti-
bular System to Acoustic Sti-
muli
Improved Weapon Noise
Exposure Criteria
Optimization of Performance
X 10
62
54
66
44
DN-040711 (USN)
Indivi-
dual
Behavior DR-313100 (USAF)
Effects
in Submarines
Optimization of Auditory
Performance in Naval
Aviation
Simultaneous Exposure to
Acoustic Energy and Other
Stressors Found in the Air
Force Environments
DF-313070 (USAF) Whole-body Effects of Air
Force Noise on People
DF-028540 (USAF)
Research on Intermittent Noise
Effects on Air Force Target
Detection Tasks
X
X
X
40
24
46
35
18
-------
Table E-4
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Page 4 of 6 pages)
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category Project Number Project Title
Total Prior to
Initial Year
Indicated FY-72
FY-73 FY-74 FY-75
DAOA-6085 (USA)
(USA)
w
i
Communi-
cation
Inter-
ference
(USN)
DN-040713 (USN)
DN-140502 (USN)
DF-311640 (USAF)
Military Performance:
Auditory Perception and
Psychophysics
Human Engineering Studies of
the Head and Headgear, Helmet
Acoustics, Weight, plus Other
Factors Affecting Performance
Sound Conduction in the Ear
Affecting Military Communications
Optimization of Speech Communi-
cations in Naval Aviation
Development of Auditory Screening
and Acoustical Tolerance Standards
for Submarine/Shipboard Personnel
Assessment of Hearing in Flying
Personnel
26
40
30
28
40
33
36
Communi- DF-313140 (USAF)
ty or
Collec-
tive
Response
Effects of Air Force Noises on
Population Surrounding Air Bases
31
-------
Table E-4
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Page 5 of 6 pages)
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category Project Number Project Title
Total Prior to
Initial Year
Indicated FY-72
FY-73 FY-74 FY-75
DAOD-6739 (USA)
DN-612146 (USN)
w
i
DF-314500 (USAF)
Measure-
ment
Metho-
dology
and Cali-
bration
DF-316600 (USAF)
DF-313020 (USAF)
DF-313030 (USAF)
Research on Psycho-
acoustical Problems
Medically Significant to
Army Aviation
Airborne Noise Criteria for
Ships and Submarines
Development and Updating of
Air Force Land Use Planning
Procedure with Respect to
Aircraft Noise
Measurement and Analysis of
Aircraft Noise Environments
for Developing New Air Force
Procedures to Forecast Noise
Exposure
Mechanisms of Noise Generation
and Reception as Related to Air
Force Bioacoustic Programs
Bioacoustic Environments of USAF
Aerospace Systems
85 195
69
32
74
13
15
92
68
-------
Table E-4
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Page 6 of 6 pages)
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category Project Number Project Title
Total Prior to
Initial Year
Sub-
totals
by
Category
DF-317570 (USAF) Bioenvironmental Noise
Research Program
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Non-Auditory Health Effects
Individual Behavior Effects
Communication Interference
Community or Collective Response
Measurement Methodology and Calibration
Indicated EY-72 FY-73
43
248
10
233
124
32
337
FY-74
301
0
166
109
0
354
FY-75
301*
0 *
166*
109*
0 *
354*
i
»-*
00
TOTALS
984
930
930*
* DOD FY 75 data estimated the same as FY 74
-------
Table E-5
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Page 1 of 1 page)
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category
Project Number Project Title
Total Prior to
Initial Year
Indicated FY-73
FY-74 FY-75
Noise Effects 504-09-02
on Sleep
Human Response to the Aero-
nautical Environment
217
254 142
w
i
i-*
VO
Community or 504-29-01
Collective
Response
504-29-11
Acceptance of Aircarft Opera-
tions-Technical Assessment
Acceptance of Aircraft Opera-
tions-Communicy Noise
173
172 232
205 319 422
Measurement
Methodology
and Cali-
bration
504-29-11
Acceptance of Aircraft Opera-
tions
532 409 404
Subtotals
by Category
Noise Effects on Sleep
Community or Collective Response
Measurement Methodology and Calibration
217
378
254
491
142
654
TOTALS
532 409 404
1,127 1,154 1,200
-------
w
i
ts>
O
Table E-6
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Page 1 of 1 page)
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category Project Number Project Title
Total Prior to
Initial Year
Indicated FY-72 FY-73
FY-74 FY-75 FY-76
Individ-
ual
Behavior
Effects
Work at DOC/ ..."
NBS (USCG)
AM-B-73-PSY-41
(FAA)
AM-B-73-PSY-31
Foghorn Aversiveness
Study
Field Study of Sonic Boom
Startle Effects
Determinants of Startle
5
X 18
y 97
(FAA)
(DOT/FAA/DOD/
USAF)
Response to Simulated
Sonic Booms
Animal Response to Impul-
sive Acoustic Stimuli
38 0
Communi- Contract 036369
ty or (Trais No.)
Collective (ONA)
Response
Measurement of Community
Noise and Associated Human
Response
295
130 50
Subtotals
By Category
TOTALS
Individual
Community
Response
Behavior Effects
or Collective
295
295
38
— .
38
50
- -_ -
50
130
130
50
50
-------
Table E-7
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Page 1 of 2 pages)
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category Project Number Project Title
Total Prior to
Initial Year
Indicated FY-72
FY-73 FY-74
FY-75
FY-76
Noise -
Induced
Hearing
Loss
GB-36652
Noise Trauma,
Ototoxicity and the
Olivocochlear Bundle
20
w
i
fo
8-72
01
Permanent Effects of
Noise on Low and Mid
Frequency Hearing
Interaction of Ototoxic
Drugs with Acoustic
Trauma
Non- 01
Auditory
Health
Response
Indivi- GS-33216
dual Be-
havior
Effects
Effect of Noise on X
Cardiovascular
Changes in Non-
Cardiac patients in
ICU
Collaborative Research
on Social Psychological
Reactions to Stress
34
GS-2405A #2
Collaborative Research
on Social Psychological
Reactions to Stress
42
-------
Table E-7
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Page 2 of 2 pages)
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category Project Number Project Title
Total Prior to
Initial Year
Indicated FY-72
FY-73 FY-74
FY-75
FY-76
GS-34329
Collaborative
Research on
Social Psycho-
logical Reactions
to Stress
39
w
i
M
N9
Subtotals by
Category
TOTALS
Noise-Induced
Hearing Loss
Non-Auditory
Health Response
Individual Be-
havior Effects
20
115
115
20
-------
Table E-8
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Page 1 of 1 page)
NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category Project Number Project Title Total Prior to
Initial Year
Indicated FY-72 FY-73 FY-74 FY-75 FY-76
Individual Psychoacoustic 64 98 117 142 140
Behavior Measurement
Effects Techniques
w
i
NJ
CO
-------
Table E-9
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Page 1 of 1 page)
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category Project Title
Total Prior to
Initial Year
Indicated FY-72
FY-73 FY-74 FY-75 FY-76 FY-77 FY-78
Communi-
ty or
Collective
Response
Evaluation of HUD
Noise Policies &
Guidelines
Effects of Noise on
Community Development
200 185
225
M
I
Measure-
ment Meth-
odology &
Calibra-
tion
HUD Urban Noise
Measurement System
Development of Noise
Attenuation Measures
117 263
175
50
Subtotals
by
Category
TOTALS
Community or Collec-
tive Response
Measurement Method-
ology & Calibration
200 410
117
117
438
50
638 460
-------
U.S.
Table E-10
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Page 1 of 4 pages)
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category Project Number Project Title
Total Prior to
Initial Year
Indicated
FY-72 FY-73 FY-74 FY-75 FY-76
Noise-
Induced
Hearing
Loss
LAG
IAG & Contract
w
i
NJ
Ul
Evaluation of Effects
of Noise Exposure
Combined with Other
Stressing Agents on
Hearing & Performance
Evaluation of Long-term
Noise Exposure on Hearing
Differentiation between
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
and Presbycusis
Auditory Effects from
Moderate Noise Levels
Auditory Effects from
Intermittent Daily
Exposures
Longitudinal Studies of
Auditory Effects From
Noise Exposure
25
25 70
600
-------
Table E-10
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Page 2 of 4 pages)
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category Project Number Project Title
Total Prior to Initial
Year Indicated FY-72
FY-73 FY-74 FY-75
FY-76
Non-
Auditory
Health
Effects
Contract
w
i
NJ
IAG
Interactive Effects
of Noise and Other
Influences
Studies of Non-Auditory
Physiological Effects
186*
700
Indivi-
dual
Behavior
Effects
IAG
In-House
Behavior Correlation of
Varying Noise Environments
Vigilance Task Performance
50 50
in Presence of Intermittent
Unwanted Noise in Primates
Time-Varying Effects on Human
Response
Effects on Task Performance
10
75
150
Noise
Effects
on Sleep
Contract
Quality of Sleep & Effects
Related to Psysiological &
Psychological Implications
Correlation of Foreign &
Domestic Data on Human Sleep
150
17
* 2 Year Period
-------
Table E-10
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Page 3 of 4 pages)
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category Project Number Project Title
Total Prior to Initial
Year Indicated FY-72
FY-73 FY-74 FY-75 FY-76
Communi-
cation
Interfer-
ence
Contract
IAG
W
I
ro
Improved Criteria for
Verbal Communication
From Noise in Schools
and Home Environment
Voice Levels & Environ-
mental Noise Conditions
that Permit Adequate
Speech Communication
Effect of Age, Speech
Level, Hearing on
Reliable Communication
59
62
25
200
Community or
Collective
Response
Effects of Noise on
Community Response
Related to Annoyance
Identify Environmental
Noise Levels for
Determining Cumulative
Dose Exposures for Different
Population Segments
Identify Sociological Effects
of Noise
>• 200
-------
U.S.
Table E-10
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(page 4 of 4 pages)
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category Project Number Project Title
Total Prior to Initial
Year Indicated FY-72
FY-73 FY-74 FY-75 FY-76
i
fO
00
Measure-
ment Meth-
odology &
Work at Instrumentation
DOC(NBS) & Measurement Systems
for Noise Exposure of
24 32
Calibration Individuals
Subtotals
By
Category
TOTALS
Noise -Induced Hearing Loss
Non-Auditory Health Effects
Individual Behavior Effects
Noise Effects on Sleep
Communication Interference
Community or Collective Response
Measurement Methodology & Calibration
50
186*
50
59
24 32
24 377
70
0
135
17
87
309
600
700
150
150
200.
200
2,000
2 Year Period
-------
t
to
vt>
Table E-ll
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
(Page 1 of 1 page)
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category Project Number Project Title
Total Prior to Initial
Year Indicated FY-72
FY-73 FY-74 FY-75 FY-76
Domestic
Animals &
Wildlife
0057475
SC-00945
The Effect of Noise
Pollution on the
Fowl
X
XXX
Table E-12
RESEARCH FUNDING BY AGENCY
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF MINES
(Thousands of Dollars)
Category Project Number Project Title
FY-73
FY-74
FY-75
Communica- GO 122004
tion Inter-
ference
GO 133026
Aspects of Noise Generation &
Hearing Protection in Under-
ground Coal Mines
Study of Roof Warning Signals &
the Use of Personal Hearing
Protection in Underground Coal
Mines
71
0
8
Subtotals for Communication Interference
72
Measurement SO 144091
Methodology &
Calibration
Portable Calibration Instrumentation 0
for Audiodosimeters—Feasibility
Study
8
15
0
0
Agency fotal
72
23
-------
Table F-l
NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS
(Page 1 of 9 Pages)
Agency Project No.
Project Title
HEW/
NINBS
4403-12 (Grant) Susceptibility to
Hearing Loss
5785-09 (Grant) Causes of Deafness
R01 NS 03856-11 Auditory Communica-
(Grant)
NS-09983
(Grant)
Planned
Contract
NS-74-0001
(Contract)
In-house
Research
Planned work
tions and its Dis-
orders
Noise Effects on Audio-
gram and Cochlea
Economic and Social Im-5
pacts of Noise-Induced
Hearing Loss
Effect of Noise on
Children
3
Laboratory of Otolary»ta
gology
Experimental Studies
of Effects of Noise
on Young Ears (Primate)
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
Total Pri-
or to Ini-
tial Year
Indicated
220
2,480
FY FY
72 73
45
365
FY
74
47
387
FY
75
49
413
FY FY
76 77
51
440
FY FY
78 79
3,773
36
461 (586) (598) (615) (613) (642)
37
150 300 300
20
28
15
0
15
20
21
21
0
340 550 500 600 350
Project funding covers work in other categories and is not included in totals,
Initiated in FY 75 only if additional funds become available.
{includes study of non-auditory effects of noise.
Portion of laboratory's effort oriented toward noise effects.
-------
Table F-l
NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS
(Page 2 of 9 Pages)
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
10
Agency Project No.
HEW/ Planned work
NINDS
Planned work
Planned work
HEW/
NIOSH
Subtotals
Project Tttle
Auditory Responses in
Quiet and Noise Among
Very Young Children
Presbycusis
Auditory Sensitivity
and Discrimination
Among Children Living
in Noisy Environments
Evaluation of Hearing
Risk due to Industrial
Noise
Total Pri-
or to Ini-
tial Year
Indicated
0
0
FY FY FY FY
72 73 74 75
00 0 120
0000
120
FY
76
250
0
300
FY FY
77 78
400 440
40 125
330
FY
79
500
250
2,737
447 482 1,057 1,756 1,590 1,486 1,121
(75)3 79 104 '
Short Term Physical
Agents Research: Coal
Mine Noise
(35) 10
'Estimated.
*NIOSH does not use the term "project" for this level of research activity.
Project titles were not the same in FY 73.
-------
Agency Project No.'
HEW/
NIOSH
CO
HSM 99-72-125
HSM 99-72-32
PL 480 For-
eign Currency
Agreement No.
05-005-3
PL 480 For-
eign Currency
Agreement No.
03-002-03
Table F-l
NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS
(Page 3 of 9 Pages)
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
Project Title2
Total Pri-
or to Ini-
tial Year
Indicated
FY
72
73
FY
74
FY
75
FY
76
FY
77
FY
78
FY
79
Noise and Hearing in
the Paperworking
Industry
Evaluation of Industrial
Accoustic Radiation above
10KHZ
PIS and TTS Resulting
from Industrial Noise
Exposure
Effects of Noise and
Vibration on Health
of Woodcutters
Exposure to Noise in
the Cotton and Flax
Textile Industry
Laboratory Studies of
Noise-Induced Hearing
Loss
0 41
40
24
213
7/68-
9/74
99
7/71-
7/75
87
91
'Estimated.
2NIOSH does not use the term "project" for this level of research activity,
-------
Agency Project No.
HEW/
NIOSH
HSM 99-72-131
NIOSH-LA-73-6
Grant (OEA)
R01-OH000350
PL-480-For-
eign Currency
Agreement No.
05-0142
Grant (OEA)
1R01 OH 00364
Table F-l
NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS
(Page 4 of 9 Pages)
Project Title
Combined Effects of
Noise, Work and Heat on
Human Hearing*
Aspects of Ear Toler-
ance to Noise
Laboratory and Field
Study of Impact Noise
Damage Risk Criteria
for Intermittent Noise
Exposure
Noise and Heat Effects
on Man
Effects of Impulse
Noise on the Auditory
System
Subtotals
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
Total Pri-
or to Ini-
tial Year
Indicated
FY
72
FY
73
FY
74
FY
75
FY
76
FY
77
FY
78
FY
79
(24)
50
40
18
167
5/72-
4/77
56
x
47
41
91
69
76
64 224 341 352 117
'Estimated.
TIIOSH does not use the term "project" for this level of research activity.
Project titles were not the same in FY 73.
-------
Agency Project No.
HEW/
NIEHS
NIEHS-EB-002
NIEHS-EB-002
R01-ES-969
NIEHS-EB-009
NIEHS-EB-008
NOL-ES-2110
Table F-l
NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS
(Page 5 of 9 Pages)
Project Title
Investigation of Hearing
Loss Threshold Curve for
Young vs. Mature Animals
Combined Effect of Noise
and Salicylates on
Cochlear Morphology and
Auditory Threshold
Combined Impulse-
Continuous Noise:
Auditory Effect
Identification of Phy-
siological Dysfunction
in Neurosensory Hearing
Loss Induced by Ototoxic
Agents
Physiological Study of
Auditory Fatigue (In-
duced by Noise
Interaction of Noise
and Ototoxic Drugs on
Hearing Loss in
Animals
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
Total Pri-
or to Ini-
tial Year
Indicated
FY
72
FY
73
FY
74
FY
75
FY
76
FY
77
FY
78
FY
79
25 25
20
51 44 44 45
8 29 29 29 29
8 26 26 26 26
100 100 100
Subtotals
145 192 199 99 100 55
-------
Agency Project No,
DOD DAOA-6082
(USA)
DNQA 4956
(USA)
DAOC 7028
(USA)
DAOB-7030
(USA)
DN-123487
(USN)
DN-240004
(USN)
Table F-l
NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS
(Page 6 of 9 Pages)
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
Project Title
Total Pri-
or to Ini-
tial Year
Indicated
FY
72
FY
73
FY
74
FY
75
FY
76
FY
77
FY
78
FY
79
Military Performance-
Traumatic Origins of
Hearing Loss
Relationship of Hear-
ing Change to Acoustic
Inputs
Prevalence of Hearing
Loss within Selected
U.S. Army Branches
Hearing Conservation
Intense Acoustic Stimu-
lation and Noise Suscepti-
bility in the Military
Environment
Communications: Hearing
of Naval Personnel as a
Function of Noise
Exposure
Study of Anatomic Changes
in Middle Ear Associated
with Noise-Induced Hear-
ing Loss and Acoustic
Trauma
62
66
20
46
20
10
19
-------
Agency Project No,
DOD
DN-240059
(USN)
DN 477001
(USN)'
DN 140504
(USN)
DF-311650
(USAF)
DF-314140
(USAF)
Table F-l
NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS
(Page 7 of 9 Pages)
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
Project Title
Total Pri-
or to Ini-
tial Year
Indicated
FY FY
72 73
FY
74
FY
75
FY
76
FY
77
FY
78
FY
79
Middle Ear Compliance
and Its Relationship to
Military Related Noise-
Induced Hearing Loss
and Acoustic Trauma
The Incidence of Hear-
ing Loss Among Various
Navy Related Personnel
Development of Damage
Risk Criteria and Ha-
bitability Standard
for Exposure to Sonar
T ransmiss ions
Effects of Noise on
Air Force Personnel
in Operational En-
vironments
Research on Permanent
and Temporary Shifts in
Hearing Threshold Produc-
ed by Exposure to Air
Force Noise
8 13
20
50
25
20
49
-------
Agency Project No.
DOD
00
NSF
DF-313060
(USAF)
DF-317610
(USAF)
GB-36652
8-72
01
Table F-l
NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS
(Page 8 of 9 Pages)
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
Project Title
Total Pri-
or to Ini-
tial Year
Indicated
FY
72
Auditory Responses to
Acoustic Energy Ex-
perienced in Air Force
Activities
Human Subjects for Opera-
ting Acoustic Research
Subtotals
Noise Trauma, Ototox-
icity and the Olivocho-
chlear Bundle
Permanent Effects of
Noise on Low and Mid
Frequency Hearing
Interaction of Ototoxic
Drugs with Acoustic
Trauma
Subtotals
FY
73
24
FY
74
22
FY
75
FY
76
FY
77
FY
78
FY
79
38 35
248 301 301
20
20
* DOD FY 75 data estimated the same as FY 74.
-------
Agency Project No.
EPA IAG
IAG and
Contract
so
Table F-l
NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS
(Page 9 of 9 Pages)
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
Project Title
Total Pri-
or to Ini-
tial Year
Indicated
FY
72
FY
73
Evaluation of Effects
of Noise Exposure Com-
bined with Other Stress-
ing Agents on Hearing.
and Performance
Evaluation of Long-Term
Noise Exposure on Hear-
ing
Differentiation Be-
tween Noise*Induced
Hearing Loss and Presby-
acusls
Auditory Effects from
Moderate Noise Levels
Auditory Effects from
Intermittent Daily Ex-
posures
Longitudinal Studies of
Auditory Effects from
Noise Exposure
Subtotals
Totals for Noise-
Induced Hearing Loss
FY
74
25
FY
75
FY
76
FY
77
FY
78
FY
79
25 70
600
50 70 600
2,737
64 1,084 1,366 1,979 2,572 1,690 1,541 1,121
-------
Agency Project No.
HEW/
NIOSH
Table F-2
NON-AUDITORY HEALTH EFFECTS
(Page 1 of 3 Pages)
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
Project Title'
Total Pri-
or to Ini-
tial Year
Indicated
FY
72
FY
73
Extra-Auditory Effects
of Noise of Consequence
to Worker Safety and
Health
FY
74
42
FY
75
FY
76
FY
77
FY
78
FY
79
Effects of Noise on
Non-Auditory Sensory
Functions and Perform-
ance
Health Impact of Indus-
trial Noise
Effects of Noise and
Heat on Health of Workers
in Metal Industry
78
21
New
30
Subtotals
108 42 21
'Estimated.
*NXOSH does not use the term "project" for this level of research activity.
-------
Agency Project No.
HEW/
NIEHS
NIEHS-EB-Oil
NIEHS-EB-012
NIEHS-EB-013
NIEHS-EB-004
NIEHS-ET-003
HEW/ Planned
NINDS Work
Table F-2
NON-AUDITORY HEALTH EFFECTS
.Tq (Page 2 of 3 Pages)
Project Title
Effects of Noise on
Corticosterone Se-
cretion in the Rat
Noise Polymorpho-
nuclear Leukocyte
Function
Noise and Celimedi-
ated Immunity
Noise in the Hospital
Teratogenic Effects of
Noise Exposure and
Deprivation
Subtotals
Effects of Noise on
Susceptibility to
Disease
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
Total Pri-
or to Ini-
tial Year
Indicated
FY
72
FY
73
FY
74
FY
75
FY
76
FY
77
FY
78
FY
79
16
12
28
8
24
10
8
66
40
120 200 250 400
120 200 250 400
-------
Agency Project No.
DOD DR-313120
Contract
F33615-69-C-
1246 (USAF)
Table F-2
NON-AUDITORY HEALTH EFFECTS
(Page 3 of 3 Pages)
Project Title
Research on Response
of Vestibular System
to Acoustic Stimuli
Subtotals
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
Total Pri-
or to Ini-
tial Year
Indicated
FY
72
FY
73
FY
74
FY
75
FY
76
FY
77
FY
78
FY
79
10
10
h-*
N>
NSF 01
Effect of Noise on
Cardiovascular Changes
in Noncardiac Patients
in ICU
EPA
Contract
Interactive Effects
Noise and Other In-
fluences
of
Studies of Non-Auditory
Physiological Effects
Subtotals
700
186'
186 0 700
Totals for Non-auditory
Health Effects
126 294
61 820 200 250 400
Project funded for 2 year period
-------
Agency Project No. 1
HEW/
NIOSH
i
t-1
u>
Grant R01
OH-00366
Grant R01
OH-00365
Table F-3
INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR EFFECTS
(Page 1 of 4 pages)
Project Title 1
Effects of Three
Sound Environments
on Human Behavior
Noise and Human Per-
formance
Noise and Industrial
Accidents
Subtotals
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
Total Pri-
or to Ini-
tial Year
Indicated
FYFY'FY FY FY FY FY FY
72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79
8
20
New
28
1 NIOSH does not use the term "project" for this level of research activity.
DOD
DAOB-4955
(USA)
DN 840511
(USN)
DN 040711
(USN)
Improved Weapon Noise
Exposure Criteria
Optimization of Per-
formance in Submarines
Optimization of Audi-
tory Performance in
Naval Aviation '
62 66
54 44
40 35
-------
Agency Project No.
DOD
I
l-»
*•
DR-313100
(USAF)
DF-313070
(USAF)
DF-028540
Contract
AFOSR-1822-
69 (USAF)
Table F-3
INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR EFFECTS
(Page 2 of 4 Pages)
Project Title
Simultaneous Exposure
to Acoustic Energy and
Other Stressors Found
in Air Force Environ-
ments
Whole-Body Effects of
Air Force Noise on
People
Research on Intermittent
Noise Effects on Air
Force Target Detec-
tion Tasks
Subtotals
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
Total Pri- .
or to Ini-
tial Year
Indicated
FY
72
FY
73
FY
74
FY
75
FY
76
FY
77
FY
78
FY
79
7 3
x 24 18
x 46
233 166 166
1DOD FY 75 data estimated the same as FY 74
DOT AM-B-73-PSY-41
(FAA)
AM-B-73-PSY-31
(FAA)
Field Study of Sonic
Boom Startle Effects
Determinants of Startle
Response to Simulated
Sonic Boom
x 18
x 27
-------
Agency Project No.
DOT
in
NSF
NBS
DOT/FAA/DOD/
AF
Work at DOC/
NBS (USCG)
GS-33216
GS-2405A #2
GS-34329
In-house
Table F-3
INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR EFFECTS
(Page 3 of 4 Pages)
Project Title
Animal Response to
Impulsive Acoustic
Stimuli
Foghorn Aversiveness
Study
Subtotals
Collaborative Research
on Social Psychological
Reactions to Stress
Collaborative Research
on Social Psychological
Reactions to Stress
Collaborative Research
on Social Psychological
Reactions to Stress
Psychoacoustic Measure-
ment Techniques
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
Total Pri-
or to Ini-
tial Year
Indicated
FY FY FY FY FY FY
72 73 74 75 76 77
38 0
5
FY FY
78 79
38 50
34
42
39
98
17 142
-------
Agency Project No.
EPA IAG
In-house
IAG
Table F-3
INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR EFFECTS
(Page 4 of 4 Pages)
Project Title
Behavioral Correlates
of Varying Noise En-
vironments
Vigilance Task Per-
formance in Presence
of Intermittent Un-
wanted Noise in Pri-
mates
Time varying effects
on human response
Effects on Task Per-
formance
Subtotals
Totals for Indi-
vidual Behavior
Effects
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
Total Pri-
or to Ini-
tial Year
Indicated
FY
72
FY
73
FY
74
FY
75
FY
76
FY
77
FY
78
FY
79
50
50
10
75
150
50 135 150
217 381 361 443 290
-------
Agency Project No,
NASA 504-09-02
Table F-4
NOISE EFFECTS ON SLEEP
(Page 1 of 1 Page )
Project Title
Human Response to
the Aeronautical En-
vironment
Subtotals
Total Pri-
or to Ini-
tial Year
Indicated
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
FY
72
FY
73
FY
74
FY
75
FY
76
FY
77
217 254 142 150 150
217 254 142 150 150
FY
78
FY
79
EPA Contract
I
»-•
-o
Quality of Sleep &
Effects Related to
Physiological & Psy-
chological Implica-
tions
Correlation of Foreign
and Domestic Data on
Noise Effects on Sleep
17
Subtotals
Totals for Noise Effects
on Sleep
17
217 254 159 300 150
-------
Agency Project No.
HEW/
NINDS
NS-07908-07
NS-74-2322
(Contract)
i
H«
00
Table F-5
COMMUNICATION INTERFERENCE
(Page 1 of 4 Pages)
Project Title
Noise-Induced Deaf-
ness: Masking and
Speech Perception
Development of Test
Instrument for As-
sessing Speech Dis-
crimination in Noise
Message Transmission
in Noise
Subtotals
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
Total Pri-
or to Ini-
tial Year
Indicated
FY
72
FY
73
FY
74
FY
75
FY
76
FY
77
FY
78
FY
79
461
79
140
100 100 100
0
0
0
130
461
79 140 100
100 100 230
DOD DAOA-6085
(USA)
(USA)
Military Performance:
Auditory Perception
and Psychophysics
Human Engineering
Studies of the Head and
Headgear, Helmet Acous*
tics, Weight plus Other
Factors Affecting Per-
formance
-------
Agency Project No.
Table F-5
COMMUNICATION INTERFERENCE
(Page 2 of 4 Pages)
Project Title
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
Total Pri-
or to Ini-
tial Year
Indicated
FY
72
FY
73
FY
74
FY
75
FY
76
FY
77
FY
78
FY
79
DOD DN-040713
(USN)
(USN)
DF-311640
(USAF)
Optimization of
Speech Communica-
tions in Naval Avia-
tion
Development of Audi-
tory Screening and
Acoustical Tolerance
Standards for Sub-
marine/Shipboard
Personnel
Sound Conduction in
the Ear Affecting Mili-
tary Communications
Assessment of Hearing
in Flying Personnel
Subtotals
40 40
30 33
26
28 36
124 109 109
1
DOD FY 75 data estimated the same as FY 74
-------
Agency Project No.
EPA Contract
IAG
to
o
Table F-5
COMMUNICATION INTERFERENCE
(Page 3 of 4 Pages)
Project Title
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
Total Pri-
or to Ini-
tial Year
Ind icated
FY FY
72 73
Improved Criteria
for Verbal Communi-
cation from Noise in
Schools and Home En-
vironments
Voice Levels and En-
vironmental Noise Condi-
tions That Permit
Adequate Speech Communi-
cation
FY
74
59
FY
75
62
FY
76
FY
77
FY
78
FY
79
25
Effect of Age, Speech
Level, Hearing on Reli-
able Communication
Subtotals
200
59
87 200
DOI/ G0122004
BuMines
G0133026
Aspects of Noise Gener-
ation & Hearing Pro-
tection in Underground
Coal Mines
Study of Roof Warning
Signals & the Use of
Personal Hearing Pro-
tectors in Underground
Coal Mines
0
0
71
8
0
-------
Table F-5
COMMUNICATION INTERFERENCE
(Page 4 of 4 Pages)
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
Agency Project No.
Project Title
Total Pri-
or to Ini-
tial Year
Indicated
FY
72
FY
73
FY
74
FY
75
FY
76
FY
77
FY
78
FY
79
Subtotals
Totals for Communi-
cation Interference
72
8
461
275 316 296 200 100 100 230
to
-------
Agency Project No.
DOT Contract
036369
ro
504-29-01
504-29-11
Acceptance of Air-
craft Operations Tech-
nology Assessment
Acceptance of Aircraft
Operations Community
Noise
Subtotals
173 172 232 160 160
205 319 422 350 350
378 491 654 510 510
DOD DF 313140
Effects of Air Force
Noises on Population
Surrounding Air Bases
32
Subtotals
32
0
-------
Table F-6
COMMUNITY OR COLLECTIVE RESPONSE
(Page 2 of 2 Pages)
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
Agency Project No. Project Title Total Pri- FYFYFYFYFYFYFYFY
or to Ini- 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79
tial Year
Indicated
HUD Evaluation of HUD 200 185
Noise Policies and
Guidelines
Effects of Noise on 225
Community Development
i
NJ
Subtotals 200 410
EPA Effects of Noise on
Community Response
Related to Annoyance
Identification of En-
vironmental Noise
Levels for Determining
Cumulative Dose Expo-
sures for Different
Population Segments
200
Subtotals 200
Totals for Community/
or Collective Response 295 410 821 1,114 200 510
-------
Table F-7
DOMESTIC ANIMALS AND WILDLIFE
(Page 1 of 1 Page)
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
Agency Project No. Project Title Total Pri- FYFY FY FY FY FY FY . FY
or to Ini- 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79
tial Year
Indicated
DOA 0057475 The Effect of Noise x x x
SO00945 Pollution on the
Fowl
-------
Table F-8
MEASUREMENT METHODOLOGY AND CALIBRATION
(Page 1 of 4 Pages)
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
Agency Project No.J Project Title2 Total Pri- FY FY FY FY1 FY FY FY FY
or to Ini- 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79
tial Year
Indicated
14 HEW/
J, NIOSH Industrial Audionet- 31 52 80
01 ric and Hearing Conser-
vation Technology
»Estimate.
I NIOSH does not use the term "project" for this level of research activity.
-------
Agency Project No.
HEW/
NIOSH
Table F-8
MEASUREMENT METHODOLOGY AND CALIBRATION
(Page 2 of 4 Pages)
Project Title
Measurement of Oc-
cupational Noise
Subtotals
Total Pri-
or to Ini-
tial Year
Indicated
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
FY
72
FY
73
32
FY
74
44
FY
75
28
FY
76
FY
77
FY
78
FY
79
63
96 108
DOD
N>
ON
DAOD-6739
(USA)
DN-612146
(USN)
DF 313020
(USAF)
DF 313030
DF 317570
Research on Psycho-
acoustical Problems
Medically Signifi-
cant to Army Aviation
Airborne Noise Criteria
for Ships and Sub-
marines
Mechanisms of Noise Gen-
eration and Reception
as Related to Air Force
Bioacoustic Programs
Bioaeoustic Environments
of USAF Aerospace Systems
Bioenvironmental Noise
Research Program
85 195
69
92
4
74
68
FY 75 data estimated the same as FY 74.
-------
Agency Project No,
DOD DF 314500
(HSAF)
DF 316600
(USAF)
Table F-8
MEASUREMENT METHODOLOGY AND CALIBRATION
(Page 3 of 4 pages)
Reported Funding, Dollars
Project Title
Total Pri-
or to Ini-
tial Year
Indicated
FY
72
Development and Up-
dating of Air Force
Land Use Planning
Procedure with Respect
to Aircraft Noise
Measurement and Analysis
of Aircraft Noise En-
vironments for Develop-
ing New Air Force Pro-
cedures to Forecast
Noise Exposure
FY
73
32
FY
74
FY
75
FY
76
FY
77
FY
78
FY
79
13
15
Subtotals
337 354 354
1DOD FY 75 data estimated the same as FY 74
HUD
Hud Urban Noise Measure-
ment System
Development of Noise At-
tention Measures
117 263
175 50
Subtotals
117 438 50
-------
Agency Project No.
NASA 504-29-11
Table F-8
MEASUREMENT METHODOLOGY AND CALIBRATION
(Page 4 of 4 Pages)
Project Title
Characterization of
V/STOL Noises
Reported Funding, Thousands of Dollars
Total Pri-
or to Ini-
tial Year
Indicated
FY
72
FY
73
FY
74
FY
75
FY
76
FY
77
FY
78
FY
79
532 409 404
10
oo
EPA Work at
DOC/NBS
DOI/ S0144091
BuMines
Instrumentation and
Measurement Systems
for Noise Exposure of
Individuals
Portable Calibration
Instrumentation for
Audiodosimeters--Feasi-
bility Study
Totals for Measurement
Methodology & Calibration
24 32 0
0 15 0
1,073 1,344 916
-------
APPENDIX G
ADDENDUM
This appendix is included in the interest of being complete. It
contains a project received too late to be incorporated into the report.
The project would have been considered in the measurement methodology
and calibration category. Fiscal data in the report do not reflect
the funding for this project.
G-l
-------
Prediction and Reduction of the Noise Impact
Within and Adjacent to Army Facilities
US Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory
Project No: 896-06-001 1 July 1974
1. TECHNICAL OBJECTIVE; To develop methods to quantitatively predict
the noise pollution impact of Army operations, including blasting, heli-
copter operations, industrial plants, ana transportation, on civilian
and military populations and to develop and assess means to reduce the
noise impact of such operations.
2. APPROACH; In conjunction with other Army and governmental agencies
such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the means to predict the
noise impact of Army activities and/or facilities will be created and
tested. The prediction will be a composite of all noise sources and will
form "equal noisiness" contours which can be overlayed upon land use maps
to graphically expose incompatible zones. Based upon the predictions,
operational and physical means to reduce the noise impact will be con-
sidered and evaluated for cost, effect upon Army operations, and effec-
tiveness in noise mitigation.
3. PROGRESS: 73 07 to 74 06. The noise prediction model for blast noise
has been completed and initially tested. Field noise measurements have
been completed on the Army inventory for rotary wing aircraft. When ana-
lyzed, this data will go into the Tri-Service Aircraft Noise Impact Pre-
diction Computer Program and enhance the Army's ability to predict noise
impact of rotary wing aircraft operations. Construction has begun on
unmanned noise monitoring equipment which will be placed in the environs
of a facility to test the noise impact prediction technique. Work has
been initiated to quantify the human reaction to blast noise into terms
and units recognizable and relatable to other noise sources.
4. OVERALL PLAN:
a. The means to predict and reduce the noise impact of military fa-
cilities will be created. One physical measure will be used to rate all
of the various noise sources from the following classes:
(1) Blast noise;
(2) Fixed wing aircraft;
(3) Rotary wing aircraft;
G-2
-------
(4) Mobile equipment;
(5) Fixed equipment and installations.
To the extent applicable, measures recommended by the Federal Environmen-
tal Protection Agency will be employed.
b. This work is patterned after Air Force work on the prediction
of noise impact from fixed wing aircraft. Essentially an iterative
procedure must be followed for each of the above classes of sources
(except fixed wing which the Air Force has completed) in order to de-
velop an accurate prediction method.
c. Actually there are two predictions involved; physical and psy-
choacoustical with the psychoacoustical prediction based upon the results
of the physical prediction. Thus, in the iterative testing for accuracy
two specific tests must be employed; one for the overall physical pre-
diction, the other for the predicted psychoacoustical response of the
community.
d. The following program steps must occur within each class of
sources in order to create an accurate prediction submodel for that class.
(1) First of all, a trial noise impact model is created for the
class and a computer prediction program is created based upon the model.
Initial deficiencies in the data base are identified. These data de-
ficiencies are of two types: psychoacoustical data and physical data
which include data about the source, the path, and the receiver.
(2) Documentation is prepared for the computer program explaining
its use. This documentation includes creation of a manual that informs
facilities of the manner in which they are to compile operational data
for submission into the computer program and subsequent generation of
impact contours, creation of an operations manual dealing with the use
and operation .of the program, and creation of a programmers manual deal-
ing with the detailed program description such that other military ac-
tivities can implement the program at various data processing centers.
(3) Computer generated results are obtained for use by the various
installations and for testing the accuracy of the prediction. Based
upon the prediction model and the computer program, a manual is created
so that the facilities are able to interpret the computer results and
can understand the noise impact that their facility creates.
(4) Electronic instrumentation is created which monitors the phy-
sical (acoustical) energy arriving to various points in space. This
measured energy is compared with the physical prediction. Discrepancies
in.the prediction dictate the need for alteration of the model and the
need for additional physical data.
S-3
-------
(5) Community surveys are conducted to assess the community re-
sponse to its acoustical environment. The results of the surveys are
compared with the prediction of the community response. Discrepancies
in the prediction dictate the need for alteration of the model and the
need for additional psychoacoustical data.
(6) A manual is prepared on the means to lessen adverse noise
impact.
(a) These means include a variety of methods such as scheduling
changes, location of changes, orientation changes, equipment changes,
attenuation structures, attenuation devices, and land use changes.
(b) All of the mitigation methods are evaluated with respect to
the attributes of ability to reduce noise impact, cost, and impact on
Army programs.
e. As the submodels for the various classes of sources are created
and tested they will be combined into a single overall prediction model
with its associated computer program and implementation manuals. These
manuals are similar in nature to the manuals described above but deal
with the entire prediction rather than subclass.
5. WORK TO BE ACCOMPLISHED IN FY 75;
(1) Analysis and reduction of physical data including:
(a) Correlation of 20,000 blast data with 800 weather-sound velo-
city data points. (December 1975)
(b) Reduction of rotary wing data into raw 1/3 octave data and
into units which correlate with human response. (April 1975)
(2) Adapt and create software for using complete rotary wing air-
craft data using the Air Force Program as a point of beginning. (Air
Force Program only considers frequency above 50 hz - helicopter may
peak at about 25 hz.) (February 1975)
(3) Psychoacoustical tests and data analysis including:
(a) Results of rotary wing test. (December 1974)
(b) Results of pilot blast noise tests. (January 1974)
(4) User manual to describe form and presentation of helicopter
data to the computer from the installation will be created. (July 1975)
(5) Programmer and operations documentation of the blast noise
computer program (contour portion) will be created. (February 1975)
G-4
-------
(6) As a special consideration of mobile sources, the effects of
traffic noise to residential (barracks and family housing) structures
(quantified in distance from traffic areas will be considered using HUD
data as a base or point of beginning). (June 1975)
(7) Testing of the physical blast noise prediction will be imple-
mented by:
(a) Constructing measuring system (same as being built for EPA) -
our testing equipment will include blast monitoring capabilities while
EPAfs will not. (January 1975)
(b) Test of the system in the field and evaluation of monitoring
results. This will be an on-going activity with periodic evaluations.
(8) Set up for new blast measurement to explore the effects of
different climate and terrain. The measurements will take place in
FY 76. (July 1975)
(9) Initiate by contract community surveys to assess the response
to facility blast noise. (March 1975)
6. WORK TO BE ACCOMPLISHED IN FY 76;
(1) Results of initial social survey/community response with re-
spect to blast noise. (January 1977)
(2) Results of blast noise psychoacoustical tests. (January 1977)
(3) Inclusion of vehicular and fixed sources. (All Year)
(4) Additional blast and possible rotary-wing measurements. (All
year, including analysis)
(5) Implementation of blast noise and rotary wing aircraft classes
with the DOD manual (omit vehicle and fixed noise sources). (All Year)
(6) Continued base monitoring to test physical prediction. (All
Year)
(7) Preliminary attenuation and mitigation work with respect to
blast noise and rotary wing aircraft. (All Year)
G-5
-------
7. Funding Summary (Dollars in Thousands)
Commit-
ment
FY74 FY75 FY76 FY77 FY78
In-
House
Out-of-
House
Other
195
35
20
250
175
75
10
260
To
FY79 Complete
CFY-1 CFY BFY BFY+1 BFY+2 BFY+3
250
45
85
380
250 250
45
80
45
80
375 375
250
80
80
375
450
G-6
-------
TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read Instructions on the reverse before completing)
1. REPORT NO.
600/1-75-001
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION-NO.
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE
Federal Noise Effects Research
FY73-FY75
6. REPORT DATE
March 1975
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7. AUTHOR(S)
Interagency Noise Effects Research Panel
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
Interagency Noise Effects Research Panel (RD-681)
Office of Research and Development
Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20460
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
1GB090
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development
Washington, DC 20460
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Final
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
EPA Contact: Stephen R. Cordle, 202-755-0448
16. ABSTRACT
Potential effects of noise on the public health and welfare are described,
limitations and gaps in necessary knowledge of those effects are identified
as research needs, and eight categories for analyzing noise effects research
are presented. The current Federal research programs are summarized for each
of the eight categories.
The Noise Effects Research Panel through its collective knowledge of the
needs and the current research has identified specific research areas which,
need additional emphasis in order to provide accurate and thorough information
on effects of noise. The Panel concluded that the current programs need
continued and in some instances expanded support in order to provide necessary
information on the effects of noise. Some areas of concern which are not
currently being addressed are also identified.
17.
KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
b.lDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS
c. COSATI Field/Group
Noise (sound)
Research Projects
Federal Budgets
Behavior
Auditory Perception
Auditory Masking
Arousal (Sleep Disturbance)
Sociopsychological
Surveys
Physiology
Speech
Noise effects
Federal noise research
coordination
2001
1406
0510
0616
18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
Release Unlimited
19. SECURITY CLASS (ThisReport)
Unclassified
21. NO. OF PAGES
20. SECURITY CLASS (Thispage)
Unclassified
22. PRICE
EPA Form 2220-1 (9-73)
------- |