OTOLOGIC HAZARDS OF AIRBAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of local slap pressure of airbag deployment against the external ear and tympanic membrane and to measure its effects on subsequent hearing acuity. Adult and infant squirrel monkeys were used as experimental subjects. A small airbag was fabricated and mounted on a pneumatic impact facility. Cochlear nerve action potentials were measured in both ears of 10 subjects prior to blast, immediately postblast, and several weeks postblast. No permanent hearing damage, eardrum perforation, or disruption of osicles occurred at airbag velocities up to 100 mph and a sound intensity level of 150 dB.

• Corporate Authors:

  Society of Automotive Engineers

  485 Lexington Avenue
  New York, NY  United States  10017
• Authors:
  • Ritcher II, H J
  • STALNAKER, R L
  • Pugh Jr, J E
• Conference:
  • Stapp Car Crash Conference Proceedings
• Publication Date: 1974-12

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 339-349
• Serial:
  • Volume: 18

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acoustic measuring instruments; Acoustics; Air bags; Animals; Conferences; Crash tests; Crashes; Hearings; Restraint systems; Sound level; Testing
• Old TRIS Terms: Acoustic measurement; Occupant restraint
• Subject Areas: Highways; Research; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00083357
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: SAE #741185
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 8 1975 12:00AM