[Change of the peak level and frequency of impulse sound between free field and meatal cavity in its significance for acoustic trauma (author's transl)].

In case of an impulse noise, the peak level in the auditory meatus is increased by about 5-10 dB. At the same time, the spectrum of the noise is shifted towards the higher frequencies. This is essential for assessing the damage risk criteria of the impulse noise and the evaluation of the efficacy of the noise protectors. The resonance of the meatal cavity should be taken into consideration to explain the loss of hearing in the range of high tones caused by high-energy impulse noise.