title: Auditory risk estimates for youth target shooting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the impulse noise exposure and auditory risk for youth recreational firearm users engaged in outdoor target shooting events. The youth shooting positions are typically standing or sitting at a table, which places the firearm closer to the ground or reflective surface when compared to adult shooters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Acoustic characteristics were examined and the auditory risk estimates were evaluated using contemporary damage-risk criteria for unprotected adult listeners and the 120-dB peak limit suggested by the World Health Organization (1999) for children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Impulses were generated by 26 firearm/ammunition configurations representing rifles, shotguns, and pistols used by youth. Measurements were obtained relative to a youth shooter's left ear.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All firearms generated peak levels that exceeded the 120 dB peak limit suggested by the WHO for children. In general, shooting from the seated position over a tabletop increases the peak levels, LAeq8 and reduces the unprotected maximum permissible exposures (MPEs) for both rifles and pistols. Pistols pose the greatest auditory risk when fired over a tabletop.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Youth should utilize smaller caliber weapons, preferably from the standing position, and always wear hearing protection whenever engaging in shooting activities to reduce the risk for auditory damage.
authors.affiliation: * Audiology and Speech-Language Sciences, University of Northern Colorado , Greeley , USA.
authors.forename: Deanna K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Meinke
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Donald S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Finan
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lankford
authors.forename: Gregory A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Flamme
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Soendergaard
authors.forename: Trevor W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Jerome
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000162:Acoustics; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001299:Audiometry; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D001827:Body Height; D004430:Ear Protective Devices; D005389:Firearms; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011187:Posture; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011998:Recreation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013018:Sound Spectrography