A member of a gun club proceeded to sue a co-member, alleging that a shotgun was fired too close to his ear when the two were on a rough shoot, resulting in hearing damage.
Finch acoustic engineering expert Timothy Ward was instructed to provide a desktop report on the likely level of exposure. The parties differed on important matters, including their distance apart and the direction of firing.
Using knowledge of shotgun sound levels and muzzle blast directionality, as well as basic geometry, Tim was able to advise the Court on the likely sound levels at the injured party’s ear for a range of scenarios, both from his own gun and that of his shooting partner, and the risk of hearing damage.
