Damage Risk Criteria and Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Abstract

<h3>Introduction</h3> Proposing damage risk criteria for any biological hazard is a very difficult and complex problem. Certain arbitrary assumptions and compromises must be agreed upon, and accepted, before almost any biological damage risk criterion can be proposed. This applies to damage risk criteria for noise exposure, as well as for many others with which we are familiar. Setting damage risk criteria for noise exposure is not a simple medical task. Our problem is not one which is settled by a straightforward medical dictum. Many other disciplines outside of biology are involved. Value judgments must be made. Administrative bodies must be called upon for opinions and help. Before proposing a damage risk criterion for noise-induced hearing loss, we must define certain often used, but ill-defined terms. For example, let us examine the term<i>damage risk</i>for a moment. What do we mean by damage? Damage to hearing, of course, but hearing