[Comparison of models for evaluation of pulsed noises and their correlation with hearing loss in blacksmiths].

The article covers the studies of relationships between the physical parameters of impulsive noise in shrink workshops of automobile building. A peak noise level (Lp) and number of impulses per shift (N) in the workplaces were calculated and evaluated by means ACGIH-89 criterion and by patterns with the parameters q = 1.5-3.0 and limited maximal levels 140-160 dB. A total of 328 blacksmiths were examined by pure-tone audiometry, the hearing loss was evaluated according to the standard ISO 1999 (1990). The peak levels appeared to equal 115-143 dB with the number of impulses per shift equal to 1,000-9,500. The study revealed a reliable correlation between Lp, N and the hearing loss in blacksmiths. Comparison of the various hygienic patterns showed that the simultaneous consideration of Lp and N is preferable according to the "equal energy" rule (level of 10 dB corresponding to 10-fold increase of the impulses number) in the studied range of the impulses number per shift.