The kurtosis metric as an adjunct to energy in the prediction of trauma from continuous, nonGaussian noise exposures

Data from an earlier study [Hamernik et al. (2003). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 114, 386–395] were consistent in showing that, for equivalent energy [Leq=100dB(A)] and spectra, exposure to a continuous, nonGaussian (nonG) noise could produce substantially greater hearing and sensory cell loss in the chinchilla model than a Gaussian (G) noise exposure and that the statistical metric, kurtosis, computed on the amplitude distribution of the noise could order the extent of the trauma. This paper extends these results to Leq=90 and 110dB(A), and to nonG noises that are generated using broadband noise bursts, and band limited impacts within a continuous G background noise. Data from nine new experimental groups with 11 or 12 chinchillas/group is presented. Evoked response audiometry established hearing thresholds and surface preparation histology quantified sensory cell loss. At the lowest level [Leq=90dB(A)] there were no differences in the trauma produced by G and nonG exposures. For Leq>90dB(A) nonG exposures produced increased trauma relative to equivalent G exposures. Removing energy from the impacts by limiting their bandwidth reduced trauma. The use of noise bursts to produce the nonG noise instead of impacts also reduced the amount of trauma.