NOISE IN THE CABS OF HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES AND EFFECTS ON THE HEARING OF DRIVERS

A 4-phase study is reported which consisted of the following: literature study; measurement of noise in the cabs of heavy goods vehicles; measurement of the hearing of a population of 250 drivers of 38-tonne heavy goods vehicles; and the investigation of the relationship between the results of the noise and hearing measurements, and discussion of the causes of an apparent lack of correspondence between the measured noise levels and the observed hearing deficiencies. The results of the study are presented and discussed. It was found that the high levels of low frequency noise (and infrasonic disturbances) that were recorded in the cabs of heavy goods vehicles have undesirable effects on the hearing. The drivers of 38-tonne heavy goods vehicles suffer from a bilateral hearing deficiency, predominantly at a frequency of 4,000 hertz. This is the result of damage due to the long term effects of noise and is more pronounced on the right ear, the deficiency becoming progressively worse with age, the number of years of driving, and to a lesser degree, the number of hours of exposure per week.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/07618980
• Corporate Authors:

  Institut National de Recherche sur les Transports et leur Securite (INRETS)

  2 Avenue du General Malleret-Joinville
  Arcueil Cedex,   France  F-94114

  Institut de Recherche des Transports

  Avenue de General Malleret-Joinville, Boite Postale 28
  94 Arcueil,   France 
• Authors:
  • PACHIAUDI, G
• Publication Date: 1987-7

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 41-48
• Serial:
  • RECHERCHE TRANSPORTS SECURITE
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Institut National de Recherche sur les Transports et leur Securite (INRETS)
  • ISSN: 0761-8980

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Hearing loss; Measurement; Noise; Sound level; Truck drivers; Trucks; Vehicle cabs
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Motor Carriers; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00475609
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 31 1988 12:00AM