Frequency of greatest temporary hearing threshold shift in harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) depends on fatiguing sound level

Harbor seals may suffer hearing loss due to intense sounds. After exposure for 60 min to a continuous 6.5 kHz tone at sound pressure levels of 123-159 dB re 1 µPa, resulting in sound exposure levels (SELs) of 159-195 dB re 1 μPa2s, temporary threshold shifts (TTSs) in two harbor seals were quantifie...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
Main Authors: Kastelein, Ronald, Helder-Hoek, Lean, Gransier, Robin
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Acoustical Society of America 2019
Subjects:
Science & Technology
Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Acoustics
Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology
OCTAVE-BAND NOISE
PHOCOENA-PHOCOENA
TONAL SIGNALS
UNDERWATER DETECTION
MARINE MAMMALS
EXPOSURE
PORPOISE
DURATION
RECOVERY
HUMANS
Jennings
harbor seal
Phoca vitulina
Phocoena phocoena
Online Access:https://lirias.kuleuven.be/handle/123456789/635734
https://lirias.kuleuven.be/retrieve/535303
https://doi.org/10.1121/1.5092608
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31067933
Description
Summary:Harbor seals may suffer hearing loss due to intense sounds. After exposure for 60 min to a continuous 6.5 kHz tone at sound pressure levels of 123-159 dB re 1 µPa, resulting in sound exposure levels (SELs) of 159-195 dB re 1 μPa2s, temporary threshold shifts (TTSs) in two harbor seals were quantified at the center frequency of the fatiguing sound (6.5 kHz) and at 0.5 and 1.0 octaves above that frequency (9.2 and 13.0 kHz) by means of a psychoacoustic technique. Taking into account the different timing of post-exposure hearing tests, susceptibility to TTS was similar in both animals. The higher the SEL, the higher the TTS induced at frequencies above the fatiguing sound's center frequency. Below ∼179 dB re 1 μPa2s, the maximum TTS was at the center frequency (6.5 kHz); above ∼179 dB re 1 μPa2s, the maximum TTS was at half an octave above the center frequency (9.2 kHz). These results should be considered when interpreting previous TTS studies, and when estimating ecological impacts of anthropogenic sound on the hearing and ecology of harbor seals. Based on the results of the present study and previous studies, harbor seal hearing, in the frequency range 2.5-6.5 kHz, appears to be approximately equally susceptible to TTS. sponsorship: We thank research assistants Shirley Van de Voorde, Jesse Dijkhuizen, students Ruben de Vos, Danisja Nijsten, Yoni Trienes, Dominique Janssen, Rick van 't Hof, Iris Keurntjes, Simone Winter, Susan Jansen, Thaana van Dessel, and volunteers Aimee van Kommeren, Katja van Rennes, Celine van Putten, Fransien Moerland, Naomi Claeys, Tina Scheers, Jennifer Covi, Stacey van der Linden, Rowanne Huisman, Leonie Huijser, Ruby van Kester, and Brigitte Slingerland for their help in collecting the data. We thank Arie Smink for the design, construction, and maintenance of the electronic equipment. We thank Bert Meijering (Topsy Baits) for providing space for the SEAMARCO Research Institute. Erwin Jansen (TNO) conducted the acoustic calibration measurements. We also thank Nancy Jennings ...

Similar Items