Introduction to Health Physics

ear defenders.This is not really an acceptable alternative because we cannot prevent anything just by observing it.If, on the other hand, a hazard is judged purely in terms of noise levels then audiometry would be used as a 'long stop' to check on the effectiveness of hearing protection of individuals.Although audiometry is useful for group investigations it is not really accurate enough for mean- ingful interpretation of individual results, so that the technique is not likely to be an efficient 'long stop'.Obviously there are situations in which audiometry would be a useful addition to straightforward preventive measures.Also routine audiometry provides the basis for much research.But there is no case for routine audiometry in every industry where there is a noise hazard.I return to my point about the readership for Noise and Man.People interested in research will derive great benefit from the book; it will be of special value to anyone embarking upon research with an audiometer.Because the research interest is paramount it will not be quite so useful to people confronted by practical problems either inside or outside industry.G. R. C. ATHERLEY