A Study in Indoor Firing Ranges

Bapat, U., Tolley, N. (2007) Temporary threshold shift due to recreational firearm use. The Journal of Laryngology & Otology

Summary

The study by Bapat & Tolley (2007) looks at the causation of a temporary neurosensory loss of hearing within a specific context; during a noxious stimulus, which in this case occurs in an indoor firing range. This change in threshold shift can directly be associated with the duration and the level of exposure. The change is only temporary; as the situation recorded is different once removal of the noxious stimulus occurs. The study involved 25 participants; all of whom were shooting enthusiasts and were members of an indoor rifle club. The age range of the participants was 21 to 69. There were 7 women and 18 men in the group. Pure tone air conduction audiometry was conducted on these participants before and after the sessions of shooting. On the participants, any specific information relating to general illnesses, use of ear protection, handedness and ontological histories was collected and recorded. Only two participants were left handed; 17 were associated with previous exposure to noise; and none of the participants had worrying otoscopy findings. Out of the 25 subjects, 24 recorded at least a single frequency threshold change of 5 dB or more. In over 2 to 7 frequencies, 22 subjects recorded a threshold change of 5 dB or more. 2 subjects depicted threshold changes at frequencies of 10 and 15; both of whom had been recorded to have been exposed to noise before. The results presented by the study were equivocal in nature; it was estimated that only 48% of the study participants had clinically significant shifts in threshold.

Title and abstract

The title provided for the study was clinically general; in that it does not it only provides for the study activity and the temporary threshold shift without necessarily providing for the purpose of research, type of research or the study design. It is difficult to note whether the study is a critical literature review or an experimental study.

The abstract, on a lighter note, provides for the objective, the study design, results and the conclusion. The study design provided under this part gives an idea of the number of study participants and the method used for the study. The abstract does not, however, provide for the limitations to the study and the study clinical practicability or implications. Generally though, the abstract provides for the brief summary of what the study actually contains.

Introduction

This part introduces how temporary shifts occur and the relationship between these shifts and other aspects; such as exposure level, intensity of the noise that causes it, frequency, and temporal patterns of exposure, content of the exposure and the duration of the exposure. It further illuminates the anatomical correlation between temporary threshold shift and the decreased stereo cilia stiffness of the outer hair cells, and other such concepts. Various statements of fact were provided without references. For instance, the authors stated that the anatomical correlation mentioned above may account for permanent injury being very much less likely to be produced by intermittent noise at the same intensity level without providing any clinical justification; assumptions on the threshold changes are however clearly stated. There are no figures or tables within the introduction to explain the whole idea of a brief analysis of the topic being studied. The introduction further provides for the purpose of the study, which is ultimately vague in so far as the study population sample, design and limitations are concerned. No specific research question has however been given.

Methods

The materials and methods section of the study included the study population sample, study area which is the firing range, instruments used and the test conditions. The study population sample has clearly been stated to include 25 participants, who are shooting enthusiasts. The details recorded on these subjects have even been depicted on a table. The methods provide for a small population sample which is appropriate for the size of the study conducted. The variables provided are clearly stated as part of the instruments used and it is clear that the study compared results obtained from pure tone air conduction audiometry before and after shooting sessions. The variables used in the study can be clearly understood and the study can even be replicated. Ethical considerations statements are not present in the study, but the study has been guided by the US occupational safety and health act which provides for a standard threshold shift average; this enables ethically acceptable standard results. The methods analysis provides for the bases of statistically and clinical significant results.

Results

This part of the study is brief, yet precise and concise. The data findings have even been summarized in a table. The findings have particularly focused on clinically significant threshold changes; the same have accounted for all the participants of the experiment and are therefore complete. The result findings also evaluated statistically significant shifts at almost all frequencies. The findings obtained were, generally, clearly and validly presented in tables that made understanding much easier and projected replication possible. The different characteristics of the subjects used in the study, however, make it harder to replicate.

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Discussion

The key findings of the study have been explained using a number of other previous researches. The effects caused by exposure to impulse noise have been studied in both recreational and military settings. Other studies cited in these contexts were therefore merely supporting evidence on the effects of exposure in regards to threshold change. The study, in as much as it is supported by various literatures, is self-critical. The conclusions drawn from the study are limited in as much as the size of the population sample is concerned. Its limitations have thereof been provided in regards to clinically recorded threshold shifts. The research also explains the effects of third party factors on conclusion generation; only exposure to industrial noise correlated with ear sensitivity to loud noise. Thorough understandings of the mechanisms of hearing can be enabled by further studies which would aim at characterizing the effect of impulse noises.