Despite airbags’ proven ability to save lives in serious crashes, the explosive propellant used to inflate the safety devices have the potential to inflict serious hearing loss in humans, an auditory researcher says.
The findings come from G. Richard Price, an auditory physiologist and consultant to Charleston, MD-based Auditory Hazard Analysis, at the recent National Hearing Conservation Assn.’s annual conference in Savannah, GA.
Using an auditory assessment algorithm that analyzes the ear’s structure for sounds greater than 130 dB, Price tells the conference that 17% of occupants exposed to airbag deployments will suffer permanent hearing loss.
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