RESTRICTED

EFFECT OF NOISE ON AIRWARRIORS

INTRODUCTION

1.
Noise is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as unwanted
sound. Physically, there is no difference between sound and noise. The difference is
one of human perception and is subject to individual variability. The significant aspect
of noise is that it is always present in varying degrees of the environment and
especially in aviation related activities.
2.
In the modern world, particularly in urban environments, noise pollution is an
everyday occurrence. This isnt to say we should, or do, resign ourselves to its
presence. In the majority of cases noise is an annoyance and inconvenience
affecting peoples quality of life, but it can have some direct and indirect health
effects, such as damage to hearing and increased hypertension. This paper will
explore these potential effects.

AIM

3.
Recognising that there is still no firm consensus on how to approach issues
around aircraft noise, the paper intends to identify certain areas, including noise
assessment, compensation schemes, and the concept of noise envelopes for which
the work needs to be undertaken.
4.
This paper aims to provide a view of existing research and literature on
aircraft noise, and to explain various noise hazards, which an aviation professional is
exposed to, and propose precautionary measures and other noise control
programmes which could be implemented.

NOISE

5.
The term noise refers to a sound, especially the one, which is noticeably
unpleasant, or too loud. In other words, the noise is any unwanted or annoying
sound. Categorising a sound as noise can be very subjective. For example, loud
rock music can be described as an enjoyable sound by some and at the same time
described as noise by others.

RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED
2

SOURCES OF NOISE

6.
It goes without saying that the aircraft is the chief source of noise when it
comes to the field of aviation. However this does not imply that there may not be
other significant noise producing hazards on the tarmac. The PA systems, vehicles
plying around the aircraft, especially some specialist vehicles of Russian origin, all
contribute to the noisy environment we find ourselves in.
7.
However, the way noise decays is influenced by a large number of factors,
such as obstructions and ground cover, which can be particularly effective at
decaying noise from ground sources. With noise from elevated sources, such as
aircraft noise, these features generally provide no benefit. Weather conditions can
also affect how noise travels. There is more noise downwind from a source than the
equivalent location upwind (everything else being equal), and different levels of
temperature can also affect noise propagation.
8.
Figure 1 shows noise maps from road, rail and air sources. As can be seen,
noise from road and rail is very intense around source and is quickly dissipated by
buildings and other obstructions surrounding it. On the other hand aircraft noise
disperses more slowly, for the reasons mentioned above.
9.
Therefore, the aviation environment is characterised by multiple sources of
noise both on ground and in the air. Exposure of aircrew and ground crew to loud
noise is an issue since the beginning of aviation and has been a prevalent problem
ever since. Noise is produced by aircraft equipment, engine, transmission systems,
jet exhausts, propellers, rotors, hydraulic and electrical actuators, cabin conditioning
and pressurisation systems, cockpit advisory and alert systems, and communication
equipment, etc.

ROAD

RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED
3

RAIL

AIR

MEASUREMENT OF NOISE

10.
Sound or noise, is produced by waves of compression and rarefaction set up
in a medium by a vibrating body. The intensity of the sound is measured in terms of
pressure exerted by the sound energy. It is expressed in terms of decibel (Db) units.

TYPES OF NOISE

11.

Steady. Continuous noise of sudden or gradual onset and long duration

RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED
4
(more than 1 second). Examples: Aircraft power plant noise, propeller noise inside
or outside the cockpit etc. According to the Occupation Safety and Health
Administration of USA, the maximum permissible continuous exposure level to
steady noise in a working environment is 90 dB for 8 hours.
12.
Impulse/Blast. Noise pulses of sudden onset and brief duration (less than 1
second) that usually exceed an intensity limit of 140 dB. Examples: Gunshot,
firecracker detonation, backfiring of a piston engine, high volume squelching of the
radio equipment and sonic boom. The eardrum may be ruptured by intense levels
(140 dB) of impulse/blast noise.

EFFECTS OF NOISE

13.
Most noise impacts are quite localised, affecting those closest to its source
but causing much less of an impact on those further away. This is because the level
of noise decays as distance from the source increases.
14.
In recent years the effects of noise pollution have become better recognised
and understood. Large scale European studies such as ANASE, RANCH and
HYENA have researched how the population as a whole, and individuals in
particular, can be affected by noise.
15.
For the purpose of this paper it is helpful to conceptualise the effects of noise
by considering them in three groups: health effects, amenity effects and productivity
and learning effects
EFFECTS OF NOISE ON HEARING

16.
Whenever our ears are exposed to loud noise the hearing mechanism is over
simulated and soon becomes fatigued. Once the exposure to loud noise is stopped
the ear gradually recovers from fatigue. Hearing is impaired during the fatigued stage
but becomes normal when the fatigue disappears. This is temporary hearing loss
induced by noise.
17.
When exposure to loud noise occurs daily as a routine, the ability of the ears
to recover quickly from fatigue is lost and ultimately this hearing loss becomes
permanent. This initially affects the high frequencies and later on low frequencies,
such as the spoken word, are also affected.

RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED
5
PHYSICAL EFFECTS

18.

Ear discomfort. Ear discomfort may occur during exposure to a 120 dB or a

louder noise, for a shorter duration (in hours).

19.
Ear pain. Ear pain may occur during exposure to a noise of the level of 130
dB. This occurs due to eardrum being functional close to its rupture limits.
20.
Eardrum Rupture. Eardrum rupture may occur during exposure to a 140dB
intensity of sound. This is due to intensity of sound being more that the tolerance of
eardrum.
21.
Temporary Hearing Impairment. Unprotected exposure to loud, steady
noise above 90dB for a short duration, even several hours, may cause a hearing
impairment temporarily. The hearing normally returns to normal within several hours
following cessation of the noise exposure.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS.

22.
Subjective effects. Annoying high intensity noise can cause distraction,
fatigue, irritability, startle responses, sudden awakening and poor sleep quality, loss
of appetite, headache, vertigo, nausea and impaired concentration and memory loss.
23.

Speech interference. Loud noise can interfere with or mask normal speech,
making it difficult to understand.

24.
Performance. Noise is a distraction and can increase the number of errors on
any given task. Task that requires vigilance, concentration, calculations, and making
judgements about time can be adversely affected by exposure of loud noise higher
than 90 dB.

CONCLUSION

24.
When the ears are exposed suddenly to very loud noise or blast, the hearing
mechanism being very delicate, suffers severe damage from which complete
recovery is often not possible. This leads to residual hearing loss which is
permanent. It will be incorrect to say that the human ear gets used to a certain level

RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED
6
of noise during the daily routine. Actually this is one of the signs of beginning of
noise induced hearing loss, when the loud noise does not hurt the ear so much.
24.
Since the damage caused by noise cannot be corrected by any treatment,
avoiding all unnecessary exposure to loud noise is the best means available to us.
Various aviation bodies have already identified aircraft noise as a miscreant and
have or are in the process of adopting precautionary measures.

RECOMMENDATIONS

25.
The hazardous effects of exposure to loud noise can be minimised by either
protecting your ears or by moving the source of noise away from the inhabited area.
26.
Proofing. This is an extremely effective measure which can reduce the
noise level in the working environment to a large extent. All the working places as far
as possible need to be sound proofed where ever the aircraft are likely to be in the
region of a kilometre or so.
27.
Ground Run Points In many stations in IAF, the Ground Run points are
located in very close proximity to the Operations Complex. Off late operational
expediency has resulted in the serious nature of this problem being over looked.
Proper positioning of noise deflectors and ground run points, away from habitation
would go a long way in improving the working environment.
28.
Personal Protection. All personnel who are working in close proximity to
aircraft or other sources of loud noise should use ear defenders. These attenuate the
noise reaching the ears. They are available in two forms the plug type and the muff
type. The former have been shown to be more effective however are not widely
available. Additionally, erecting signboards, to make personnel aware off entering
into Hazardous Zone due to aircraft noise can mark the hazardous areas. If nothing
else is available plugging the ears with the fingers is as effective as anything else in
safeguarding our precious hearing.
29.
Monitoring of hearing. The hearing of those exposed top loud noise on a
routine basis should have their hearing monitored at regular intervals. Any one
showing a tendency towards hearing loss should be shifted to a less noisy
environment.

AF STATION JODHPUR
Date
Dec 14

(Ankit Joshi)
Flt Lt

RESTRICTED