The Impact of Reduced Speech Intelligibility on Reaction Time in a Naval Combat Environment

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 1570-1574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Sheffield ◽  
John Ziriax ◽  
M. David Keller ◽  
William Barns ◽  
Douglas Brungart
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Impaired Hearing ◽  
Perceived Workload ◽  
Series Of Experiments ◽  
And Performance ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Military ◽  
The Impact

Despite attempts to limit noise exposure, noise-induced hearing loss remains prevalent in the military. Both hearing loss and the noise itself can lead to communication issues which could negatively impact operational performance. This study builds upon a series of experiments examining the relationship between reduced speech intelligibility and performance in a naval command and control environment by equipping Navy watch standers with hearing loss simulators that control speech intelligibility in real time as they were engaged in a simulated operational scenario. This effort focused on the effects that a Sailor with impaired hearing might have on unimpaired shipmates and how the mission might specifically be impacted. Results showed that as speech intelligibility decreased for the impaired watch stander perceived workload increased in an unimpaired shipmate and the latency of the crew to respond to incoming missile threats and a direct order to kill an enemy ship increased significantly.

Noise Exposure and Hearing Disorders

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. Byrne ◽  
Thais C. Morata
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Hearing Protection ◽  
Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Disorders ◽  
Industrial Noise ◽  
Significant Impairment ◽  
Protection Devices ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Occupational Hearing Loss

Exposure to industrial noise and the resulting effect of occupational hearing loss is a common problem in nearly all industries. This chapter describes industrial noise exposure, its assessment, and hearing disorders that result from overexposure to noise. Beginning with the properties of sound, noise-induced hearing loss and other effects of noise exposure are discussed. The impact of hearing disorders and the influence of other factors on hearing loss are described. Typically, noise-induced hearing loss develops slowly, and usually goes unnoticed until a significant impairment has occurred. Fortunately, occupational hearing loss is nearly always preventable. Therefore, this chapter gives particular attention to recommendations for measures to prevent occupational hearing loss such as engineering noise controls and hearing protection devices.

Hazards for Construction Workers

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavin H. West ◽  
Laura S. Welch
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Respiratory Diseases ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Engineered Nanomaterials ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

This chapter describes the hazards for construction workers, with a particular focus on injuries as well as exposures to hazardous chemicals and dusts. A section describes hazardous exposures to lead and other heavy metals. Another section describes noise exposure. The impact of musculoskeletal disorders among construction workers is then discussed. A section on respiratory diseases focuses on asbestosis, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma. Exposures known to cause dermatitis and cancer are reviewed. There is a discussion of engineered nanomaterials as a potential emerging hazard. Various approaches to prevention and control, including regulations and health services, are described.

Battle Experiments of Naval Air Defense with Discrete Event System-based Mission-level Modeling and Simulations

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 173-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeong Hoon Kim ◽  
Chang Beom Choi ◽  
Tag Gon Kim
Keyword(s):  
Discrete Event ◽  
Weapon System ◽  
Modeling And Simulations ◽  
Air Defense ◽  
Weapon Systems ◽  
Event System ◽  
Level Model ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Military ◽  
The Impact

The modern naval air defense of a fleet is a critical task dictating the equipment, the operation, and the management of the fleet. Military modelers consider that an improved weapon system in naval air defense (i.e. the AEGIS system) is the most critical enabler of defense at the engagement level. However, at the mission execution level, naval air defense is a cooperative endeavor of humans and weapon systems. The weapon system and the command and control (C2) structure of a fleet engage in the situation through human reporting-in and commands, as well as weapon deployments. Hence, this paper models the combination of the human and the weapon systems in naval air defense by covering the C2 hierarchy of the fleet, as well as the weapon systems of warships. After developing this mission-level model, we perform battle experiments with varying parameters in the human and weapon aspects. These battle experiments inform us of the impact of the changes in the human and the weapon systems. For example, the speed of incoming missiles is a critical parameter for a fleet’s survival; yet the decision-making speed is another outstanding parameter, which illustrates that there is more to improve than the weapon system when considering the mission level. This modeling and these experiments provide an example, suggesting a method of combining the human C2 and the weapon systems at the mission level in the military domain.

Peaks in the Frequency Response of Hearing Aids: Evaluation of the Effects on Speech Intelligibility and Sound Quality

1996 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald A. van Buuren ◽  
Joost M. Festen ◽  
Tammo Houtgast
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Response ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Sound Quality ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Reference Frequency ◽  
Impaired Hearing ◽  
Speech Spectrum ◽  
Series Of Experiments

In a series of experiments, we introduced peaks of 10, 20, and 30 dB, in various combinations, onto a smooth reference frequency response. For each of the conditions, we evaluated speech intelligibility in noise, using a test as developed by Plomp and Mimpen (1979), and sound quality (for both speech and music), using a rating-scale procedure. We performed the experiments with 26 listeners with sensorineurally impaired hearing and 10 listeners with normal hearing. Signal processing was accomplished digitally; for each listener, the stimuli were filtered and subsequently amplified so that the average speech spectrum was well above the threshold of hearing at all frequencies. The results show that, as a result of the introduction of peaks onto the frequency response, speech intelligibility is affected more for the listeners with impaired hearing than for those with normal hearing. Sound-quality judgments tend to be less different between the listener groups. Conditions with 30-dB peaks especially show serious effects on both speech intelligibility and sound quality.

scholarly journals Application of SPC in Short Run and Small Mixed Batch Production: Case of Bakery Equipment Producer

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darina Juhászová
Keyword(s):  
Control Charts ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Statistical Process ◽  
Pareto Analysis ◽  
Environmental Consequences ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Short Run ◽  
And Performance ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose of this paper is to present preliminary research in statistical process control (SPC) of short run and small mixed batches (SR-SMB) at the organization producing bakery equipment.</p><p><strong>Methodology/Approach:</strong> The starting point of the research is a literary survey of possibilities of using SPC for SR-SMB and analysis of the current state of production in a particular organization. Through Pareto analysis, verifying the normality of the data obtained during eleven months, calculation of process capability and performance it was possible to prepare control charts. Finally, the single-case study shows that the proposed control charts are applicable in a small batch and mixed production in the organization producing bakery equipment.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Through SPC implementation in bakery equipment SR-SMB production it is possible to understand the behaviour of the process and to organize better and control the production of expensive precision components.</p><p><strong>Research Limitation/implication:</strong> Limitation of the research is that data have not been reviewed by individual machines and the impact of individual machines and their settings is not displayed separately.</p><strong>Originality/Value of paper:</strong> Using SPC in the bakery equipment industry is far from common practice. The article presents the first part of the research, which is the starting point for more detailed analysis needed to optimize the use of materials, energy and environmental consequences.

scholarly journals Surrounded by Sound: The Impact of Tinnitus on Musicians

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (17) ◽  
pp. 9036
Author(s):  
Georgina Burns-O’Connell ◽  
David Stockdale ◽  
Oscar Cassidy ◽  
Victoria Knowles ◽  
Derek J. Hoare
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
General Population ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Population Data ◽  
Professional Musicians ◽  
Professional Musician ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Hearing Health ◽  
The Impact

AIM: To investigate the impact of tinnitus on professional musicians in the UK. BACKGROUND: Tinnitus is the experience of sound when an external source is absent, primarily associated with the ageing process, hearing loss, and noise exposure. Amongst populations exposed to industrial noise, noise exposure and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) have been found to be the factors most associated with tinnitus. The risk of NIHL amongst professional musicians is greater than that amongst the general population, meaning they may be at increased risk of tinnitus. METHODS: Seventy-four professional musicians completed an online survey involving closed and open-ended questions, and completed the Tinnitus fuctional Index (TFI) questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis of open-ended qualitative responses were used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Three themes were generated from the analysis of the responses to the open-ended questions. These themes were: (1) the impact of tinnitus on the lives of professional musicians, (2) professional musician experience of tinnitus services, support, and hearing health and safety, and (3) the support professional musicians want. The mean global TFI score for professional musicians was 39.05, interpreted as tinnitus being a moderate problem. Comparisons with general population data revealed lower TFI scores for the TFI subscales of ‘sense of control’ and ‘intrusiveness’ for professional musicians and higher for auditory difficulties associated with tinnitus amongst professional musicians. CONCLUSION: Tinnitus can negatively impact on professional musicians’ lives. There is a need for bespoke self-help groups, awareness raising, and education to prevent tinnitus and promote hearing health among musicians.

scholarly journals Maintenance Performance of Prison Facilities in Southwestern Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 26-34
Author(s):  
O. O. Ajayi ◽  
H. Koleoso ◽  
M. Ajayi ◽  
O. Faremi
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Performance Criteria ◽  
Southwestern Nigeria ◽  
Prison Staff ◽  
Quality Of Water ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The One ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Maintenance Performance

Maintenance performance measurement aims to assess and improve the value created after maintenance efforts, as it determines the impact of maintenance on the performance of a system or facility and its business process. As objects of maintenance, prison facilities ought to provide a safe and decent environment for prison staff and prisoners to work and live in, as well as for all others who interact with the facilities. This study evaluates the satisfaction ratings of maintenance performance on prison facilities in Southwestern, Nigeria. A survey approach was adopted to collect data from the relevant Nigerian prison staff population of 2,187 prison workers, excluding staff in the maintenance unit within a specific period. Stratified sampling technique was used to generate a sample of 1,094, which is representative of the entire population across the prisons. Three hundred and eighty (35%) out of the one thousand and ninety-four copies of the questionnaire were completed and returned. Data collected were analysed using the SPSS package. The study found that prison staff showed satisfaction with the level of cleanliness in the prison environment, quality of water and control of ventilation employing a window, as well as partial satisfaction with the twenty-nine other criterion assessed. Overall, the study indicated partial satisfaction for performance on prison facilities and established a significant agreement among prison staff regarding the perception of the performance of prison facilities. The research, therefore, suggests continuous evaluation of maintained prison facilities to ascertain their condition and performance levels. Keywords: Maintenance Performance Criteria; Prison Facilities; Prison Staff; Satisfaction Ratings

scholarly journals The Relationship between Extent of Internationalization and Firm Performance (Taiwan 1992–2017)

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Shih-Yung Wei ◽  
Li-Wei Lin
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Operating Performance ◽  
Board Structure ◽  
Tobin’S Q ◽  
Tobin's Q ◽  
Moderating Variables ◽  
Average Operating ◽  
And Performance ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

The purpose of this study was to discuss the impact of the extent of internationalization on firm performance measured for firms with a high Tobin’s Q (firms with good operating performance), a median Tobin’s Q (firms with average operating performance), and a low Tobin’s Q (firms with poor operating performance). In addition to discussion on the impact of internationalization on firm performance, this study also discussed the impact of corporate proprietary assets (using assets, R&D, marketing, and management-related variables as moderating variables) and control variables (scale of company, debt-asset ratio, firm age, board structure, and proportion of pledged shares by directors) on firm performance. The research results showed that there is an S-shaped relationship between extent of internationalization and firm performance. However, further discussion found that there is an S-shaped relationship between extent of internationalization and performance for firms with a high Tobin’s Q but a slight decline in the middle of the S-shaped curve, as well as a general linear negative correlation between extent of internationalization and performance for firms with a median Tobin’s Q and an inverted U-shaped correlation between extent of internationalization and performance for firms with a low Tobin’s Q.

scholarly journals Personal Music Players Use and Other Noise Hazards among Children 11 to 12 Years Old

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6934
Author(s):  
Weronika Swierniak ◽  
Elzbieta Gos ◽  
Piotr Henryk Skarzynski ◽  
Natalia Czajka ◽  
Henryk Skarzynski
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Convincing Evidence ◽  
Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Thresholds ◽  
The Impact

Exposure to loud music—due to widespread personal music players (PMPs) and noisy leisure activities—are major risk factors for noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) in adolescents. However, there is little evidence of the impact of noise on the hearing of younger children. This study aimed to explore an association between PMP use and hearing, and to identify other sources of noise among children. The study sample consisted of 1032 children aged 11–12 years old. Hearing thresholds were determined from 0.5 to 8 kHz. PMP use and other noise exposures were evaluated using a survey. We found that 82% of the children had a PMP, and 78% were exposed to noise when playing computer games. An audiometric notch was documented in 1.3% of the children. Only 11.5% of the children ever used hearing protection while engaged in noisy activities. We found no convincing evidence of an association between PMP use and hearing thresholds, although our results suggest that tinnitus may be an early sign of NIHL in young children. The study shows a need to provide children, their parents, and educators with knowledge of how to take care of hearing, including how to avoid and minimize noise exposure.

Minimal Hearing Loss: Implications and Management Options for Educational Settings

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 40-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia McCormick Richburg ◽  
Annah L. Hill
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Voice Onset Time ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Onset Time ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
Formant Frequency ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Auditory Systems ◽  
The Impact

Audibility, which refers to the ability of sound to be heard, is not sufficient for listening and learning environments, such as school classrooms. Speech intelligibility, not audibility, is the key to understanding and, therefore, must be addressed for all children, especially those who have some amount of hearing loss. It is well documented that children's central auditory systems are not fully myelinated or mature until the age of 10 to 12 years (Moore, 2002; Musiek, Gollegly, & Baran, 1984). School-age children have “developing” auditory systems due to their poorer sensitivity (when compared to adults) to small acoustic cues in speech, such as voice-onset time and formant-frequency transition (Elliott, 1986; Elliott, Longinotti, Meyer, Raz, & Zucker, 1981). Children are also less able to selectively attend to auditory tasks, have difficulty recognizing speech distorted by reverberation, and have problems with speech intelligibility in background noise and reverberation plus noise (Finitzo-Hieber & Tillman, 1978; Neuman & Hochberg, 1983; Stuart, 2005). Therefore, children under the age of 13 years (i.e., those in elementary and middle school) have been described as “special listeners” (Nabelek & Nabelek, 1994). This article describes minimal hearing loss (MHL), the poor acoustics found in educational environments, and the impact of those acoustics on children with MHL. In addition, this article reviews environmental modifications that can be made to improve classroom acoustics. This article offers multiple researchers' strategies for better access to listening and learning, including soundfield amplification options for improving the signal-to-noise ratio in classroom settings.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document