Abstract
Human beings ordinarily detect only a small portion of the sound energy to which they are exposed. Indeed, sound is usually defined in terms of the limited range of frequencies to which the human ear readily responds — the “audiofrequency” range. However, sound energy at frequencies below this audio-frequency range can elicit both auditory and nonauditory responses from human beings. It is energy in this infrasound range that is the focus of the present chapter. This chapter deals with air-transmitted infrasound only; structure-borne infrasound, usually described as vibration, is not included.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Alford, B.R., Jerger, J.F., Coats, A.C., Billingham, J., French, B.O., McBrayer, R.O.: Human tolerance to low frequency sound. Amer. Acad. Ophthalm. Otolaryng. Transact. 70, 40–47 (1966).
von Békésy, G.: Über die Hörschwelle und Fühlgrenze langsamer sinusförmiger Luftdruckschwankungen. Ann. Physik 26, 554–566 (1936).
von Békésy, G.: Über die Resonanzkurve und die Abklingzeit der verschiedenen Stellen der Schneckentrennwand. Akust. Z. 8, 66–76 (1943). Also: On the resonance curve and the decay period at various points on the cochlear partition. J. acoust. Soc. Amer. 21, 245–254 (1949).
von Békésy, G.: Experiments in hearing. New York: McGraw-Hill 1960.
von Békésy, G.: Introduction. In: Keidel, W.D., Neff, W.D. (Eds.): Handbook of sensory physiology, Vol. V/1, pp. 1–8. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1974.
Bondarev, G.I., Sinitsina, A.D., Efimov, I.N.: On the combined effect of low-frequency vibration and noise on the pituitary-adrenal cortex system. Gigiena i Sanitariya (USSR) 35, 106–108 (1970).
Borredon, P., Nathié, J.: Effects physiologiques observés chez l’homme exposé a des niveaux infrasonores de 130 dB. In: Pimonow, L. (Ed.): Colloque international sur les infrasons, pp. 59–84. Paris: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 1974.
Bowen, I.G., Fletcher, E.R., Richmond, D.R., Hirsch, F.G., White, O.S.: Biophysical mechanisms and scaling procedures in assessing responses of the thorax energized by air-blast overpressures or by non-penetrating missiles. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 152, Art. 1, 122–146 (1968).
Brüel, P.V., Olesen, H.P.: Infrasonic measurements. Internoise 73, 599–603 (1973).
Bryan, W., Tempest, W.: Does infrasound make drivers “drunk”? New Sci. 53, 584–587 (1972).
Cole, J.N., Mohr, G.C., Guiild, E., von Gierke, H.E.: The effects of low-frequency noise on man as related to the Apollo space program, AMRL TR-66–119. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio: Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory 1966.
Connor, W., Rudmose, W.: Community response to noise. In: Keidel, W.D., Neff, W.D. (Eds.): Handbook of Sensory Physiology, Vol. V/3. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1976.
Dallos, P.: The auditory periphery, p. 180. New York-London: Academic Press 1973.
Eldredge, D.H.: Inner ear — cochlear mechanics and cochlear potentials. In: Keidel, W.D., Neff, W.D. (Eds.): Handbook of sensory physiology, Vol. V/1, pp. 549–584. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1974.
Evans, E.F.: Central nervous system — eighth nerve and primary cochlear nucleus. In: Keidel, W.D., Neff, W.D. (Eds.): Handbook of sensory physiology, Vol. V/2, pp. 1–108. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1975.
Evans, M.J.: Infrasonic effects on the human organs of equilibrium. Proceedings of Fall Meeting of the British Acoustical Society paper 71–104 (1971).
Evans, M.J., Tempest, W.: Some effects of infrasonic noise in transportation. J. Sound and Vibration 22, 19–24 (1972).
Fecci, R., Barthelemy, R., Bourgoin, J., Mathias, A., Eberle, H., Moutel, A., Jullien, G.: L’action des infra-sons sur l’organisme. Med. Lavoro 62, 130–150 (1971).
Fox, J., Vardy, A.: The generation and alleviation of air pressure transients caused by the high speed passage of vehicles through tunnels. In: International Symposium on the Aerodynamics and Ventilation of Vehicle Tunnels. Paper G 3. Cranfield, England: BHRA Fluid Engineering 1973.
Gavreau, R., Condat, R., Saul, H.: Infra-sons: générateurs, détecteurs, propriétés physiques, effects biologiques. Acustica 17, 860–866 (1966).
von Gierke, H.E.: Discussion of Dr. Lawrence’s paper on “Process of sound conduction”. Laryngoscope 68, 347–354 (1958).
von Gierke, H.E.: Biodynamic response of the human body. Applied Mechanics Review 17, 951–958 (1964).
von Gierke, H.E.: Response of the body to mechanical forces — an overview. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 152, Art, 1, 172–186 (1968).
von Gierke, H.E.: Effects of infrasound on man. In: Pimonow, L. (Ed.): Colloque international sur les infra-sons, pp. 417–435. Paris: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 1974.
von Gierke, H.E., Davis, H., Eldredge, D.H., Hardy, J.D.: Aural pain produced by sound. Benox Report, Contract HG ori-020, Task Order 44, ONR Project Nr. 144079. Chicago: University of Chicago 1953. (DDC AD 24685, National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Va.)
von Gierke, H.E., Nixon, C. W.: Effects of intense infrasound on man. In: Tempest, W. (Ed.): Infrasound and low frequency vibration. London-New York: Academic Press 1976.
von Gierke, H.E., Oestreicher, H.L., Franke, E.K., Parrack, H.O., von Wittern, W. W.: Physics of vibrations in living tissues. J. appl. Physiol. 4, 886–900 (1952).
von Gierke, H.E., Warren, D.R.: Protection of the ear from noise. Benox Report, Contract HG ori-020, Task Order 44, ONR Project Nr. 144079. Chicago: University of Chicago 1953. (DDC AD 24685, National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Va.)
Graybiel, A., Fregley, A.R.: A new quantitative ataxia test battery, Report No. 107. Pensacola, Florida: Naval School of Aviation Medicine 1963.
Green, J.E., Dunn, F.: Correlation of naturally occurring infrasonics and selected human behavior. J. acoust. Soc. Amer. 44, 1456–1457 (1968).
Guinan, J. J., Jr., Peake, W.T.: Middle ear characteristics of anesthetized cats. J. acoust. Soc. Amer. 41, 1237–1261 (1967).
Guttman, N., Julesz, B.: Lower limits of auditory periodicity analysis. J. acoust. Soc. Amer. 35, 610 (1963).
Harris, C.S.: Effects of increasing intensity levels of intermittent and continuous 1000 Hz tones on human equilibrium, AMRL TR-72–11. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio: Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory 1972.
Harris, O.S., Sommer, H.C.: Human equilibrium during acoustic stimulation by discrete frequencies, AMRL TR-68–7. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio: Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory 1968.
Hirsch, F. G.: Effects of overpressure on the ear — a review. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 152, Art. 1, 147–162 (1968).
Ingelstedt, S., Ivarsson, A., Tjernström, Ö.: Vertigo due to relative overpressure in the middle ear. Acta oto-laryng. (Stockh.) 78, 1–14 (1974).
Jansen, G.: Survey of research done in Germany concerning the effects of infrasound on humans. In: Pimonow, L. (Ed.): Colloque international sur les infra-sons, pp. 85–106. Paris: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 1974.
Jerger, J.B., Alford, A., Coats, A., French, B.: Effects of very low frequency tones on auditory thresholds. J. Speech Hearing Res. 9, 150–160 (1966).
Johnson, D.L.: Animal exposure to infrasound. J. acoust. Soc. Amer. (Abstr.) 53, 293 (1973).
Johnson, D.L.: Various aspects of infrasound. In: Pimonow, L. (Ed.): Colloque international sur les infra-sons, pp. 337–358. Paris: Central National de la Recherche Scientifique 1974.
Johnson, D.L.: Auditory and physiological effects of infrasound. Internoise 75, 475–482 (1975).
Johnson, D.L., von Gierke, H.E.: Audibility of infrasound. J. acoust. Soc. Amer. (Abstr.) 56, 37 (1974).
Kennedy, R.S.: A bibliography of the role of the vestibular apparatus under water and pressure: content oriented and annotated, Report No. 1. Pensacola, Florida: Naval Medical Research Institute 1972.
Kiang, N.Y-S.: Discharge patterns of single fibers in the cat’s auditory nerve, pp. 84–92. Cambridge, Mass.: The M.I.T. Press 1965.
Kobrak, H.G.: Construction material of the sound conduction system of the human ear. J. acoust. Soc. Amer. 20, 125–130 (1948).
Leventhall, H. G.: Man-made infrasound — its occurrence and some subjective effects. In: Pimonow, L. (Ed.): Colloque international sur les infra-sons, pp. 129–153. Paris: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 1974.
Leventhall, H., Hood, R.: Instrumentation for infrasound. Proc. Fall Meeting Brit. Acoust. Soc. paper 71–101 (1971).
Mohr, G.C., Cole, J., Guild, E., von Gierke, H.E.: Effects of low frequency and infrasonic noise on man. Aerospace Med. 36, 817–824 (1965).
Moller, A.R.: Function of the middle ear. In: Keidel, W.D., Neff, W.D. (Eds.): Handbook of sensory physiology, Vol. V/1, pp. 492–517. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1974.
Nixon, C. W.: Influence of selected vibration upon speech. I. range of 10–50 Hz. J. Auditory Res. 2, 247–266 (1962).
Nixon, C. W.: Human auditory response to an airbag inflation noise, PB-184–837. Washington: Department of Transportation 1969.
Nixon, C.W.: Human auditory response to intense infrasound. In: Pimonow, L. (Ed.): Colloque international sur les infra-sons. Paris: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 1974.
Nixon, C.W., Hille, H.K., Kettler, L.K.: Attenuation characteristics of earmuffs at low audio and infrasonic frequencies, AMRL TR-67–27. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio: Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory 1967.
Nixon, C.W., Hille, H.K., Sommer, H.C., Guild, E.: Sonic booms resulting from extremely low altitude supersonic flight: measurements and observations on houses, livestock and people. AMRL TR-68–52. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio: Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory 1968.
Nixon, C.W., Johnson, D.L.: Infrasound and hearing. In: Ward, W. (Ed.): Proceedings of the international congress on noise as a public health problem, pp. 329–348. Washington: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1973.
Nixon, C.W., Sommer, H.C.: Influence of selected vibration on speech (range of 2–20 Hz and random), AJVIRL TDR-63–49. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio: Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory 1963.
Parker, D.E.: Effects of sound on the vestibular system. In: Tempest, W. (Ed.): Infrasound and low frequency vibration. London-New York: Academic Press 1976.
Parker, D.E., von Gierke, H.E.: Vestibular nerve response to pressure changes in the external auditory meatus of the guinea pig. Acta oto-laryng. (Stockh.) 71, 456–461 (1971).
Parker, D.E., von Gierke, H.E.: Sound, vibration, and impact. In: Slonim, N. B. (Ed.): Environmental physiology, pp. 119–162. Saint Louis: C. V. Mosby 1974.
Parker, D.E., von Gierke, H.E., Reschke, M.: Studies of acoustical stimulation of the vestibular system. Aerospace Medicine 39, 1321–1325 (1968).
Parker, D.E., Reschke, M.F.: Mechanisms of acoustical vestibular stimulation. I. Middle ear nonlinearity. Minerva Otorinolaringologica 22, 240–249 (1972).
Pickett, J.M.: Low frequency noise and methods for calculating speech intelligibility. J. acoust. Soc. Amer. 31, 1259–1265 (1959).
Pimonow, L.: Apercu general du domaine infra-sonore. In: Pimonow, L. (Ed.) Colloque international sur les infrasons, pp. 33–58. Paris: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 1974.
Reschke, M.F., Homick, J., Landreth, J.: Acoustical vestibular stimulation in man. Minerva Otorinolaringologica 24, 253–260 (1975).
Reschke, M.F., Parker, D.E., von Gierke, H.E.: Stimulation of the vestibular apparatus in the guinea pig by static pressure changes: head and eye movements. J. acoust. Soc. Amer. 48, 913–923 (1970).
Shaw, E. A.G.: The external ear. In: Keidel, W.D., Neff, W.D. (Eds.): Handbook of sensory physiology, Vol. V/1, pp. 455–490. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1974.
Sivian, L. J., White, S. D.: On minimum audible fields. J. acoust. Soc. Amer. 4, 288–321 (1933).
Sommer, H. C., Nixon, C.W.: Primary components of simulated airbag noise and their relative effects on human hearing, AMRL TR-73–52. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio: Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory 1973.
Stephens, R.W.B.: Infrasound. Revista de Acoustica 2, 48–55 (1971a).
Stephens, R.W.B.: Natural sources of low frequency sound. Proceedings of Fall Meeting of the British Acoustical Society, paper 71–105 (1971b).
Tempest, W.: Low frequency noise in road vehicles. Proceedings of the Fall Meeting of the British Acoustical Society paper 71–106 (1971).
Tonndorf, J.: The influence of service on submarines on the auditory organ. In: Chapter D II, Appendix to German Aviation Medicine in World War II. Dept. of the Air Force (1950).
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Public health and welfare criteria for noise, 550/9–73–002. Washington, D. C.: Environmental Protection Agency 1973.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Information on levels of environmental noise requisite to protect public health and welfare with an adequate margin of safety, 550–9-74–004. Washington, D. C.: Environmental Protection Agency 1974.
Wever, E.G.: Theory of hearing, p. 189. New York: J. Wiley; London: Dover Publ. 1949.
Wever, E.G., Lawrence, M.: Physiological acoustics, p. 167. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press 1954.
Whittle, L.S., Collins, S.J., Robinson, D.W.: The audibility of low frequency sounds. J. Sound Vibration 21, 431–448 (1972).
Yeowart, N.S.: Low frequency threshold effects. Proc. Fall Meeting Brit. Acoust. Soc. paper 71–103(1971).
Yeowart, N.S.: The effect of infrasound on man. In: Pimonow, L. (Ed.): Colloque international sur les infra-sons, pp. 289–306. Paris: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 1974.
Yeowart, N.S., Bryan, M.E., Tempest, W.: The monaural m.a.p. threshold of hearing at frequencies from 1.5–100 c/s. J. Sound Vibration 6, 335–342 (1967).
Yeowart, N.S., Bryan, M., Tempest, W.: Low frequency noise thresholds. J. Sound Vibration 9, 447–453 (1969).
Yeowart, N.S., Evans, M.J.: Thresholds of audibility for very low-frequency pure tones. J. acoust. Soc. Amer. 55, 814–818 (1974).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1976 Springer-Verlag Berlin · Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
von Gierke, H.E., Parker, D.E. (1976). Infrasound. In: Keidel, W.D., Neff, W.D. (eds) Auditory System. Handbook of Sensory Physiology, vol 5 / 3. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-66082-5_14
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-66082-5_14
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-66084-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-66082-5
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive