Startle reactions to simulated sonic booms: Influence of habituation,boom level and background noise

The startle reaction after exposure to sonic booms was studied in volunteer females. The development of habituation, the masking effect of traffic noise and the importance of the rise time of the boom were determined. Simulated sonic booms were used in the experiments and the startle reaction was recorded by using an apparatus which measures the steadiness of the subject's hand. The results demonstrated that habituation took place at all boom levels studied but that it never was total. A traffic noise background decreased the magnitude of the startle reaction. The reaction was greater when the rise time of the boom was shorter. The results, although not representative for the population in general, indicate principal reaction patterns after exposure to sonic booms and other impulse noises.