Sensitivity of the Water-Immersed Ear to High- and Low-Level Tones

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Two experiments are reported regarding man's sensitivity to waterborne sound. The first study investigated the threshold sensitivity to tones of 250, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 6000 cps and the attenuation due to the diver's hood. The second experiment obtained data on the “tolerance” to a high-intensity tone of 1500 cps. The sound-pressure level needed to reach threshold in water is about 40–70 db higher than the MAP threshold in air. The greatest loss in sensitivity occurs in the regions of greatest air sensitivity. The diver's hood was found to provide about 20 db or more of attenuation of underwater sound at frequencies above 1000 cps. The “tolerance” limits for hoodless divers is approximately 174 db re 0.0002 dyne/cm2. When wearing the hood divers were able to tolerate at least 180 db, the system's maximum output. Above 165 db all divers reported some distortion of the visual field.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: