Transfer function of open ear importance in assessment of hearing protection devices noise reduction

2021 ◽  
Vol 61 (10) ◽  
pp. 655-661
Author(s):  
Ludmila V. Prokopenko ◽  
Maria V. Bulgakova ◽  
Nicolay N. Courierov ◽  
Alla V. Lagutina
Keyword(s):  
Transfer Function ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Free Field ◽  
Acoustic Properties ◽  
Hearing Protection ◽  
Single Digit ◽  
Actual Problem ◽  
Uncertainty Of Measurements ◽  
Protection Devices ◽  
The Difference

Introduction. Objective assessment of the noise redaction (NR) of individual hearing protection devices (HDP) in industrial conditions is actual problem despite numerous studies in this direction in many countries. This study aimed to implement the F-MIRE method for measuring the NR of HDPs, considering the transfer function of the outer ear. Materials and methods. HDP performance indicators measured by the real ear attenuation threshold (REAT) method in the free field, do not fully reflect the protective properties of HDP in specific production conditions and for a specific employee, according to many researchers. The measurement method using two microphones, called Field-MIRE (F-MIRE), allows you to determine NR as the difference in sound pressure, external noise and noise inside the external auditory meatus (EAM). But since these microphones are located in different acoustic conditions, it becomes necessary use at least two blocks of correction coefficients to get real results. One block - considering the properties of the acoustic probe, the second - should consider the transfer function of open ear. The measurements of the TFOE in 18 volunteers and the evaluation of the NR of the SOMZ-1 "Jaguar" earmuff in industrial conditions were carried out. Results. This study has shown the effectiveness of the implementation of the F-MIRE method for an adequate assessment of the NR of earmuff in industrial conditions. The special headband uses for measuring the TFOE allows you to standardize the location of measuring microphones relative to the volunteer's head and reduce the uncertainty of measurements. Unlike the REAT method with binaural listening in a free field, the F-MIRE method allows you to determine the TFOE for each ear of an employee. Our research has shown that TFOE differences between the right and left ears one-man can be significant. Conclusion. The NR determination by the difference of sound pressures measured by an external microphone and a MIRE microphone, without considering the acoustic properties of the outer ear underestimates both spectral and single-digit NR indicators.

Modeling Speech Level as a Function of Background Noise Level and Talker-to-Listener Distance for Talkers Wearing Hearing Protection Devices

2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (12) ◽  
pp. 3393-3403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel E. Bouserhal ◽  
Annelies Bockstael ◽  
Ewen MacDonald ◽  
Tiago H. Falk ◽  
Jérémie Voix
Keyword(s):  
Noise Level ◽  
Background Noise ◽  
Speech Sound ◽  
Sound Level ◽  
Hearing Protection ◽  
Background Noise Level ◽  
Vocal Effort ◽  
Protection Devices ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Studying the variations in speech levels with changing background noise level and talker-to-listener distance for talkers wearing hearing protection devices (HPDs) can aid in understanding communication in background noise. Method Speech was recorded using an intra-aural HPD from 12 different talkers at 5 different distances in 3 different noise conditions and 2 quiet conditions. Results This article proposes models that can predict the difference in speech level as a function of background noise level and talker-to-listener distance for occluded talkers. The proposed model complements the existing model presented by Pelegrín-García, Smits, Brunskog, and Jeong (2011) and expands on it by taking into account the effects of occlusion and background noise level on changes in speech sound level. Conclusions Three models of the relationship between vocal effort, background noise level, and talker-to-listener distance for talkers wearing HPDs are presented. The model with the best prediction intervals is a talker-dependent model that requires the users' unoccluded speech level at 10 m as a reference. A model describing the relationship between speech level, talker-to-listener distance, and background noise level for occluded talkers could eventually be incorporated with radio protocols to transmit verbal communication only to an intended set of listeners within a given spatial range—this range being dependent on the changes in speech level and background noise level.

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.

scholarly journals Acoustic Characterization of Some Steel Industry Waste Materials

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (13) ◽  
pp. 5924
Author(s):  
Elisa Levi ◽  
Simona Sgarbi ◽  
Edoardo Alessio Piana
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Characteristic ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Acoustic Properties ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Industry Waste ◽  
Acoustic Characterization ◽  
Minimization Procedure ◽  
The Difference ◽  
By Products

From a circular economy perspective, the acoustic characterization of steelwork by-products is a topic worth investigating, especially because little or no literature can be found on this subject. The possibility to reuse and add value to a large amount of this kind of waste material can lead to significant economic and environmental benefits. Once properly analyzed and optimized, these by-products can become a valuable alternative to conventional materials for noise control applications. The main acoustic properties of these materials can be investigated by means of a four-microphone impedance tube. Through an inverse technique, it is then possible to derive some non-acoustic properties of interest, useful to physically characterize the structure of the materials. The inverse method adopted in this paper is founded on the Johnson–Champoux–Allard model and uses a standard minimization procedure based on the difference between the sound absorption coefficients obtained experimentally and predicted by the Johnson–Champoux–Allard model. The results obtained are consistent with other literature data for similar materials. The knowledge of the physical parameters retrieved applying this technique (porosity, airflow resistivity, tortuosity, viscous and thermal characteristic length) is fundamental for the acoustic optimization of the porous materials in the case of future applications.

scholarly journals ANALYSIS OF ACOUSTIC ANISOTROPY PARAMETERS OF PYROXENE-MAGNETITE ROCKS OF THE PISCHANKA STRUCTURE

2020 ◽  
pp. 40-45
Author(s):  
I. Bezrodna ◽  
V. Svystov ◽  
D. Bezrodny
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Properties ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Depth Range ◽  
Transverse Waves ◽  
Acoustic Anisotropy ◽  
Micro Cracks ◽  
Acoustic Tensor ◽  
Transverse Isotropic ◽  
Different Depths ◽  
The Difference

The analysis of the results of acoustic properties of rocks study of Pischans`ka iron-ore structure is presented. The aim of the work is to establish the features of the distribution of acoustic properties and parameters of acoustic anisotropy in samples of core rocks selected from the well No. 3 of the Pischans`ka structure to determine the nature of its occurrence. A sample of 35 samples from the depth range 144-273 m is divided into 3 groups of rocks, namely: magnetite-pyroxene, quartz-magnetitepyroxene and biotite-amphibole crystalline shales. Based on an invariant polarization method, a number of acoustic laboratory measurements have been carried out. The values of the measured phase velocities "quasi-longitudinal" and two "quasi-transverse" waves at the stage of measurements showed significant acoustic anisotropy of the rocks. The ranges of the measured speeds of the collection samples are 7661 ÷ 5046 m / s for longitudinal waves and 4232 ÷ 2648 m/s for transverse ones. The difference in values measured for each of the sides of the cubic rhombic dodecahedron is from 100 to 800 m / s and from 0 to 500 m/s for Vp and Vs, respectively. The parameters of an acoustic ellipsoid were calculated, on the basis of which the division of samples into 3 main groups has been performed, according to the acoustic texture: acoustically linear, shale and rhombic. Separately, a group of samples with a more complex texture was discovered. The analysis of coefficients of anisotropy by different methods is carried out: longitudinal, transverse and relative acoustic anisotropy. Most of the samples are characterized by low or average acoustic anisotropy (from 2 to 7 %). A group of highly anisotropic rocks (11–14 %), represented by samples of biotite-amphibole crystalline silicates, is singled out. According to the parameters of the acoustic tensor of most samples, the transverse isotropic type of symmetry inherent to samples from the depth intervals 174–220 m and 222–232 m, while the smaller part is rhombic, is inherent. Differences in the parameters of anisotropy of samples can be explained by the significant heterogeneity of their textures, namely: micro cracks, minerals of various sizes, shapes and orientations. The results of the research show that the acoustic properties of the samples are quite heterogeneously distributed along the investigated depth range. This indicates the difficult conditions for the formation of rocks at different depths and the presence of different types of deformations, which accompanied the formation of the Pischans`ka structure.

scholarly journals The Effectiveness of Hearing Protection Devices: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (21) ◽  
pp. 11693
Author(s):  
Chanbeom Kwak ◽  
Woojae Han
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Speech Perception ◽  
Sound Localization ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Random Effect Model ◽  
Sound Attenuation ◽  
Hearing Protection ◽  
Protection Devices

To prevent intensive noise exposure in advance and be safely controlled during such exposure, hearing protection devices (HPDs) have been widely used by workers. The present study evaluates the effectiveness of these HPDs, partitioned into three different outcomes, such as sound attenuation, sound localization, and speech perception. Seven electronic journal databases were used to search for published articles from 2000 to 2021. Based on inclusion criteria, 20 articles were chosen and then analyzed. For a systematic review and meta-analysis, standardized mean differences (SMDs) and effect size were calculated using a random-effect model. The funnel plot and Egger’s regression analysis were conducted to assess the risk of bias. From the overall results of the included 20 articles, we found that the HPD function performed significantly well for their users (SMDs: 0.457, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.034–0.881, p < 0.05). Specifically, a subgroup analysis showed a meaningful difference in sound attenuation (SMDs: 1.080, 95% CI: 0.167–1.993, p < 0.05) when to wear and not to wear HPDs, but indicated no significance between the groups for sound localization (SMDs: 0.177, 95% CI: 0.540–0.894, p = 0.628) and speech perception (SMDs: 0.366, 95% CI: −0.100–1.086, p = 0.103). The HPDs work well for their originally designated purposes without interfering to find the location of the sound sources and for talking between the workers. Taking into account various factors, such as the characteristics of the users, selection of appropriate types, and fitting methods for wearing in different circumstances, seems to be necessary for a reliable systematic analysis in terms of offering the most useful information to the workers.

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