Real-ear acoustical characteristics of impulse sound generated by golf drivers and the estimated risk to hearing: a cross-sectional study

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Author
Zhao, Fei
Bardsley, Barry
Date
2014-01-21Acceptance date
2013-11-13
Type
Article
ISSN
2044-6055
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Objectives: This study investigated real-ear acoustical
characteristics in terms of the sound pressure levels
(SPLs) and frequency responses in situ generated from
golf club drivers at impact with a golf ball. The risk of
hearing loss caused by hitting a basket of golf balls
using various drivers was then estimated.
Design: Cross-sectional study.
Setting: The three driver clubs were chosen on the
basis of reflection of the commonality and modern
technology of the clubs. The participants were asked to
choose the clubs in a random order and hit six twopiece
range golf balls with each club. The experiment
was carried out at a golf driving range in South Wales,
UK.
Participants: 19 male amateur golfers volunteered to
take part in the study, with an age range of 19–54 years.
Outcome measures: The frequency responses and
peak SPLs in situ of the transient sound generated from
the club at impact were recorded bilaterally and
simultaneously using the GN Otometric Freefit wireless
real-ear measurement system. A swing speed radar
system was also used to investigate the relationship
between noise level and swing speed.
Results: Different clubs generated significantly different
real-ear acoustical characteristics in terms of SPL and
frequency responses. However, they did not differ
significantly between the ears. No significant correlation
was found between the swing speed and noise intensity.
On the basis of the SPLs measured in the present study,
the percentage of daily noise exposure for hitting a
basket of golf balls using the drivers described above
was less than 2%.
Conclusions: The immediate danger of noise-induced
hearing loss for amateur golfers is quite unlikely.
However, it may be dangerous to hearing if the noise
level generated by the golf clubs exceeded 116 dBA.
Journal/conference proceeding
BMJ OPen;
Citation
Zhao, F. and Bardsley, B. (2014) 'Real-ear acoustical characteristics of impulse sound generated by golf drivers and the estimated risk to hearing: a cross-sectional study', BMJ Open, 4(1), p.e003517.
Description
Article published open access in BMJ Open available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2013-003517
Sponsorship
Cardiff Metropolitan University (Grant ID: Cardiff Metropolian (Internal))
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