The acoustic reflex is too slow to protect against sudden loud sounds

Evidence

This effect is known as the “acoustic reflex.” It takes some 60 to 120 ms for the muscles to contract in response to a loud sound. In the case of a loud impulsive sound such as the firing of a large gun, it has been suggested that the acoustic reflex is too slow to protect the hearing system. In gunnery situations, a sound loud enough to trigger the acoustic reflex but not so loud as to damage the hearing systems is often played at least 120 ms before the gun is fired. — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 542

Categorization

• CANDY: The gunnery trick of playing a warning sound to pre-trigger the reflex before the shot is a neat, surprising nugget for conversation.
• QUESTION: What is the protective warning sound they play before the gun fires — some kind of tone? Worth chasing.
• XREF: connects to: The acoustic reflex is too slow to shield the ear from gunshots — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 542; The human efferent reflex to sound has an onset delay of 25-40 ms

Broader Connections

• The acoustic reflex is too slow to shield the ear from gunshots #exemplifies (1.00) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 542
• The human efferent reflex to sound has an onset delay of 25-40 ms #expands (0.85)