AUTOMATED SCREENING AUDIOMETRY IN THE DIGITAL AGE: EXPLORING UHEAR™ AND ITS USE IN A RESOURCE-STRICKEN DEVELOPING COUNTRY

Background: The current study aimed to determine the accuracy of UHear™, a downloadable audiometer on to an iPod Touch©, when compared with conventional audiometry.Methods: Participants were enrolled primary school scholars. A total number of eighty-six participants (172 ears) were included. Of these eighty-six participants, forty-four were female and forty-two were male; with the age ranging from 8 years to 10 years (mean age, 9.0 years). Each participant underwent two audiological screening evaluations; one by means of conventional audiometry and the other by means of UHear™. Otoscopy and tympanometry was performed on each participant to determine status of their outer and middle ear before each participant undergoing pure tone air conduction screening by means of conventional audiometer and UHear™. The lowest audible hearing thresholds from each participant were obtained at conventional frequencies.Results: Using the Paired t-test, it was determined that there was a significant statistical difference between hearing screening thresholds obtained from conventional audiometry and UHear™. The screening thresholds obtained from UHear™ were significantly elevated (worse) in comparison to conventional audiometry. The difference in thresholds may be attributed to differences in transducers used, ambient noise levels and lack of calibration of UHear™.Conclusion: The UHear™ is not as accurate as conventional audiometry in determining hearing thresholds during screening of school-aged children. Caution needs to be exercised when using such measures and research evidence needs to be established before they can be endorsed and used with the general public.

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S254 – Bone Conduction Noise Exposure via Ventilators in the NICU

Otolaryngology ◽

10.1016/j.otohns.2008.05.430 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 139 (2_suppl) ◽

pp. P160-P160

Author(s):

Angela P Black ◽

James D Sidman

Keyword(s):

Ambient Noise ◽

Noise Exposure ◽

Bone Conduction ◽

Sound Level ◽

Noise Levels ◽

High Noise ◽

Endotracheal Tubes ◽

Level Meter ◽

Hearing Damage ◽

Air Conduction

Objectives To demonstrate that neonatal ventilators produce high noise levels through bone conduction (BC) via endotracheal tubes, as well as air conduction (AC) from ambient noise. Methods A sound level meter was used to measure the noise levels 4 feet from the ventilator and in direct contact at the end of a balloon attached to the ETT to simulate the noise presented to the infant. 3 commonly used neonatal ventilators (Sensormedics 3100A, VIP Bird and Bunnell Jet) were examined. Results Noise levels were significantly higher (6 – 14 dB) at the end of the ETT than 4 ft from the ventilator for all ventilators studied. Conclusions Previous studies have shown high ambient noise levels in NICUs, but have failed to address the actual noise presented to the infant. ETT transmission of noise as a direct bone stimulus through the skull has been overlooked. This study has shown that high noise intensities are being presented not only as AC, but as BC to the infants though the ETT. This study demonstrates, therefore, that ear protection alone will not save these at-risk infants from hearing damage. More must be done to decrease noise exposure and develop quieter machines.

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ANSI Update

American Journal of Audiology ◽

10.1044/1059-0889(2000/003) ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 3-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Tom Frank

Keyword(s):

Ambient Noise ◽

Historical Perspective ◽

National Standards ◽

Computational Method ◽

Octave Band ◽

Noise Levels ◽

Test Room ◽

Hearing Thresholds ◽

Audiometric Test

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) specifies maximum permissible ambient noise levels (MPANLs) allowed in an audiometric test room to ensure that hearing thresholds obtained down to 0-dB HL will not be elevated due to masking by ambient noise. MPANLs were originally specified in 1960 and have been revised in 1977, 1991, and most recently in 1999. The purpose of this report is to offer an overview by providing a historical perspective of the MPANLs recently specified by ANSI (ANSI S3.1-1999), the rationale for revising the MPANLs, the new computational method used for determining the 1999 MPANLs, the ANSI S3.1-1999 octave and one-third octave band MPANLs, and information concerning compliance with the new MPANLs.

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A severe red tide (Tampa Bay, 2005) causes an anomalous decrease in biological sound

Royal Society Open Science ◽

10.1098/rsos.150337 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2 (9) ◽

pp. 150337 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Katherine L. Indeck ◽

Peter Simard ◽

Shannon Gowans ◽

Susan Lowerre-Barbieri ◽

David A. Mann

Keyword(s):

Harmful Algal Blooms ◽

Algal Blooms ◽

Ambient Noise ◽

Sublethal Effects ◽

Red Tide ◽

Sound Intensity ◽

Tampa Bay ◽

Noise Levels ◽

Snapping Shrimp ◽

The Difference

Although harmful algal blooms (HABs) are known to cause morbidity and mortality in marine organisms, their sublethal effects are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to compare ambient noise levels during a severe HAB event in Tampa Bay, Florida, to those during non-HAB periods. Passive acoustic monitoring was conducted using bottom-mounted autonomous acoustic recorders during a severe HAB in summer 2005, and in summers 2006, 2011 and 2012 (non-severe HAB years). Ambient noise levels were significantly higher during the non-HAB years due to an abundance of snapping shrimp ( Alpheidae ) sounds and fish chorusing. The difference of sound intensity between the study years is most likely attributable to effects of the HAB on the abundance and/or behaviour of fish and snapping shrimp as a result of mortality and stress-induced behavioural modifications.

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Ambient Noise Levels in Nursing Homes

American Journal of Audiology ◽

10.1044/1059-0889(2000/004) ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 30-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

James E. Lankford ◽

Catherine M. Hopkins

Keyword(s):

Nursing Home ◽

Nursing Homes ◽

Home Environment ◽

Ambient Noise ◽

Bone Conduction ◽

Test Results ◽

Hearing Tests ◽

Noise Levels ◽

Insert Earphones ◽

Air Conduction

Conducting hearing tests and hearing screenings in the nursing home environment can be a challenge. One issue which may affect the validity of the test results is the level of ambient noise in those facilities when a sound-treated booth is not available. This study sampled the ambient noise levels in ten different nursing homes and compared those results to the ANSI S3.1-1999 criteria for maximum permissible ambient noise levels. Based on the results of this investigation, the use of insert earphones for air conduction assessments is recommended when a sound-treated booth is unavailable and noise levels exceed the ANSI criteria. Other suggestions regarding air-conduction and bone-conduction assessments are discussed.

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Tympanic membrane atelectasis in childhood otitis media with effusion

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215100130555 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 109 (6) ◽

pp. 495-498 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

H. L. Tay ◽

R. P. Mills

Keyword(s):

Multivariate Analysis ◽

Tympanic Membrane ◽

Otitis Media With Effusion ◽

Pars Tensa ◽

Hearing Thresholds ◽

Inferior Segment ◽

Glue Ear ◽

The Difference ◽

A Prospective Study ◽

Relevant Factors

AbstractA prospective study on the dynamics of tympanic membrane atelectasis during the treatment for glue ear was performed in a sample of 115 ears of 83 children aged between one and 11 years. The progression in the degree of pars tensa atelectasis was analysed in relation to six potentially relevant factors. Multivariate analysis showed that the factor with the most predictive value on the progression of the pars tensa retraction was the grade of atelectasis at initial detection (p<0.0001). The use of grommets did not have any significant influence on the outcome grade of atelectasis. There was an association between previous grommet insertion and localized retractions in the inferior segment of the pars tensa (P<0.0001). However, localized retractions in the postero-superior quadrant were not associated with previous grommet insertion (P<0.02). Although the hearing thresholds of atelectatic ears were significantly worse than normal ears especially at 4 kHz (p<0.006), the difference was less than 5 dB.

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An Improved Sensitivity Method for the Simultaneous Identification of Unknown Parameters and External Loads of Nonlinear Structures

Shock and Vibration ◽

10.1155/2018/1737594 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Chongwen Wang ◽

Chengbin Du

Keyword(s):

Regularization Parameter ◽

Parameter Distribution ◽

Nonlinear Structures ◽

Noise Levels ◽

Unknown Parameters ◽

Key Issues ◽

The Difference ◽

Sensitivity Method ◽

Simultaneous Identification ◽

External Loads

Because structures may be subject to unknown loads and may simultaneously involve unknown parameters and because simple load identification or parameter identification algorithms cannot be applied under such conditions, it is necessary to seek algorithms that can simultaneously identify unknown parameters and external loads of structures. The sensitivity method is one of them, and this paper extends this method to nonlinear structures. In addition, the key issues associated with the sensitivity method are systematically studied, and suggestions for improvement are put forward, including the use of the difference method instead of the derivative method to calculate the sensitivity, the use of a fixed regularization parameter instead of the traditional regularization parameter calculation methods, and measures for guarantee of iterative convergence. The improved sensitivity method is applied to two types of nonlinear structures, and the effects of the regularization parameter, distribution of measured points, response types, noise levels, and the magnitude of the perturbation on the identified results are discussed.

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The effect of a secondary task on identification accuracy of oxygen saturation ranges using an enhanced pulse oximetry sonification

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/1541931213601143 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 60 (1) ◽

pp. 628-632

Author(s):

Estrella Paterson ◽

Penelope Sanderson ◽

Neil Paterson ◽

David Liu ◽

Robert Loeb

Keyword(s):

Oxygen Saturation ◽

Secondary Task ◽

Ambient Noise ◽

Visual Display ◽

Identification Accuracy ◽

Future Research ◽

Identification Performance ◽

Arithmetic Task ◽

Disruption Effect ◽

The Difference

In the operating theatre, anesthesiologists monitor an anesthetized patient’s oxygen saturation (SpO2) with a visual display but also with an auditory tone, or sonification. However, if the anesthesiologist must divide their attention across tasks, they may be less effective at recognising their patient’s SpO2 level. Previous research indicates that a sonification enhanced with additional sound dimensions of tremolo and brightness more effectively supports participants’ identification of SpO2 ranges than a conventional sonification does. This laboratory study explored the effect of a secondary task on participants’ ability to identify SpO2 range when using a conventional sonification (LogLinear sonification) versus an enhanced sonification (Stepped Effects sonification). Nineteen non-clinician participants who used the Stepped Effects sonification were significantly more effective at identifying SpO2 range ( Md = 100%) than were 18 participants using the LogLinear sonification ( Md = 80%). Range identification performance of participants using the Stepped Effects sonification tended to be less disrupted by a concurrent arithmetic task (drop from Md = 100% to 95%) than it was for participants using the LogLinear sonification (drop from Md = 80% to 73%). However, the disruption effect in each case was small, and the difference in disruption across sonifications was not statistically significant. Future research will test the sonifications under more intense cognitive load and in the presence of ambient noise.

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Influence of Wind-produced Noise on Orientation in the Sole (Solea solea)

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f94-125 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 51 (6) ◽

pp. 1258-1264 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

J. P. Lagardère ◽

M. L. Bégout ◽

J. Y. Lafaye ◽

J. P. Villotte

Keyword(s):

Spatial Distribution ◽

Ambient Noise ◽

Sound Intensity ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Fish Populations ◽

Positioning System ◽

Noise Levels ◽

Orientation Behaviour ◽

Solea Solea ◽

Swimming Trajectories

Sole (Solea solea), telemetered in an enclosure using an acoustic positioning system, changed their swimming trajectories and orientation behaviour as a function of wind strength and direction. Monitoring of the spatial variation in both wind-generated currents and noise spectra in the enclosure indicates that these behavioural changes correspond to patterns in the spatial distribution of noise and to sound intensity. Thus, our observations indicate that sole perceives and reacts to horizontal variability in ambient noise levels. Such behaviour may be important in determining movements of fish populations at sea during poor weather conditions.

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