Welcome to the new IOA website! Please reset your password to access your account.
Choose from over 350 specialist acoustic topics across 10 categories
Topic groups
Air-filled latex balloons are commonly used as impulse sound sources in room acoustics testing due to their simplicity, portability, and cost-effectiveness.
Air-filled latex balloons are used as impulse sound sources in room acoustics testing.
A study was conducted at London South Bank University measuring peak sound pressure levels from popping balloons of three sizes: small (9"), large (15"), and giant (36").
At 0.5 meters, large and giant balloons exceeded peak impulse noise limits set by EU and UK regulations (LCpeak ≥ 137 dB) and U.S. and Canadian thresholds (Lpeak ≥ 140 dB).
WHO guidelines for maximum safe exposure for children (Lpeak = 120 dB) were exceeded in all cases.
There is currently no standardized safety guidance or labelling related to balloon use in acoustic testing or public environments.
The study recommends implementing hearing protection, increasing burst distances, and integrating risk assessments.
The study advocates for safety labelling on balloon packaging.
This study is the first comprehensive investigation into balloon burst noise exposure and its potential for hearing damage.
Above: Practitioners undertaking room acoustic measurements using the balloon burst method.
Air-filled latex balloons are commonly used as impulse sound sources in room acoustics testing due to their simplicity, portability, and cost-effectiveness. Despite their widespread application in professional practice, education, and research, new findings indicate that this method may pose a significant auditory risk, particularly when balloons are burst at close range without hearing protection.
A study conducted at London South Bank University measured peak sound pressure levels from popping latex balloons of three sizes - small (9"), large (15"), and giant (36") - in various acoustic environments. Distances from the burst point ranged from 0.5 to 6 meters to simulate the positions of the person puncturing the balloon and others nearby.
Key Findings:
At 0.5 meters, large and giant balloons exceeded peak impulse noise limits set by EU and UK regulations (LCpeak ≥ 137 dB) as well as U.S. and Canadian thresholds (Lpeak ≥ 140 dB).
WHO guidelines for maximum safe exposure for children (Lpeak = 120 dB) were exceeded in all cases, even for small balloons at greater distances.
Despite these levels, there is currently no standardised safety guidance or labelling related to balloon use in acoustic testing or public environments.
This research underscores the need for heightened awareness and updated safety procedures when using balloon bursts in professional contexts. The study recommends implementing hearing protection, increasing burst distances, and integrating risk assessments into standard testing protocols. Furthermore, it advocates for safety labelling on balloon packaging to inform users of the potential auditory hazards.
Balloon bursts may appear harmless but can produce dangerously high impulse noise levels. Professionals should recognise this risk, implement appropriate hearing protection measures, and update safety protocols and training accordingly.
This study is the first comprehensive investigation into balloon burst noise exposure and its potential for hearing damage in both professional and casual use. It aims to influence future safety standards, professional practices, and public awareness.
News is an open-source library of interactive components built on top of Tailwind CSS including buttons, dropdowns, modals, navbars, and more.
News allows for rapid development with pre-built components and integrates seamlessly with Tailwind CSS for customization.
It is well accepted and understood that acoustics is the physical underlying phenomenon and vehicle of music production, performance and composition.
One of the areas in which the IOA is doing a great job is in explaining to the world that acoustics is more than just musical or architectural in nature.
The ancient Celtic pagan festival of Samhain was a time in which the doorways between the spirit-world and ours were thought to be traversed by dead souls
Dr Rodger Munt FIOA is a retired scientist with 45 years of research experience. As a long-standing employee of the former Royal Aircraft Establishment
The pandemic left bitter and sour notes in everyone’s lives at different levels. The learnings have made radical changes in the way people lead their lifestyles at home and at work.
Acoustics expert Peter Rogers and Charles Holland (Barrister, Francis Taylor Building, Inner Temple and Trinity Chambers, Newcastle) get their heads together on why an emergency amendment to the law
There has been much debate over whether the proposed updates to BS 8233 are progressive or regressive.
No record found.