title: Noise exposure in convertible automobiles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To quantify the noise exposure received while driving a convertible automobile with the top open, compared with the top closed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five different convertible automobiles were driven, with the top both closed and open, and noise levels measured. The cars were tested at speeds of 88.5, 104.6 and 120.7 km/h.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When driving with the convertible top open, the mean noise exposure ranged from 85.3 dB at 88.5 km/h to 89.9 dB at 120.7 km/h. At the tested speeds, noise exposure increased by an average of 12.4-14.6 dB after opening the convertible top.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Driving convertible automobiles at speeds exceeding 88.5 km/h, with the top open, may result in noise exposure levels exceeding recommended limits, especially when driving with the convertible top open for prolonged periods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, St Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. mikuleca@slu.edu
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Mikulec
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Lukens
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Deyoung
mesh_terms: D001334:Automobile Driving; D001336:Automobiles; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D009624:Noise, Transportation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors