CIOP-PIB test stand for studies on spatial sound perception using ambisonics

2018 ◽  
Vol 565 (10) ◽  
pp. 24-27
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Szczepański ◽  
Leszek Morzyński ◽  
Dariusz Pleban ◽  
Rafał Młyński
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Spatial Orientation ◽  
Test Stand ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Acoustic Properties ◽  
Directional Hearing ◽  
Sound Perception ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
Spatial Sound ◽  
The Impact

Acoustic signals can be a source of information affecting workers’ safety in the working environment. Sound perception, directional hearing and spatial orientation of people in the working environment depend on a number of factors, such as acoustic properties of the work room, noise and its parameters, the use of hearing protection, hearing loss or the use of hearing aids. Learning about the impact of these factors on perception, directional hearing and orientation requires using spatial sound and is essential for creating safe working conditions. This article presents basic information about ambisonics, a technique of spatial sound processing, and a test stand developed at the Central Institute for Labor Protection – National Research Institute for research on sound perception, directional hearing and spatial orientation of people using ambisonics.

Evaluation of A “Direct-Comparison” Approach to Automatic Switching In Omnidirectional/Directional Hearing Aids

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (09) ◽  
pp. 708-720 ◽  
Author(s):  
Van Summers ◽  
Ken W. Grant ◽  
Brian E. Walden ◽  
Mary T. Cord ◽  
Rauna K. Surr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Predictive Accuracy ◽  
Mode Selection ◽  
Sound Level ◽  
User Preferences ◽  
Acoustic Properties ◽  
Directional Hearing ◽  
Comparison Approach ◽  
Listening Environments ◽  
Automatic Switching

Background: Hearing aids today often provide both directional (DIR) and omnidirectional (OMNI) processing options with the currently active mode selected automatically by the device. The most common approach to automatic switching involves “acoustic scene analysis” where estimates of various acoustic properties of the listening environment (e.g., signal-to-noise ratio [SNR], overall sound level) are used as a basis for switching decisions. Purpose: The current study was carried out to evaluate an alternative, “direct-comparison” approach to automatic switching that does not involve assumptions about how the listening environment may relate to microphone preferences. Predictions of microphone preference were based on whether DIR- or OMNI-processing of a given listening environment produced a closer match to a reference template representing the spectral and temporal modulations present in clean speech. Research Design: A descriptive and correlational study. Predictions of OMNI/DIR preferences were determined based on degree of similarity between spectral and temporal modulations contained in a reference, clean-speech template, and in OMNI- and DIR-processed recordings of various listening environments. These predictions were compared with actual preference judgments (both real-world judgments and laboratory responses to the recordings). Data Collection And Analysis: Predictions of microphone preference were based on whether DIR- or OMNI-processing of a given listening environment produced a closer match to a reference template representing clean speech. The template is the output of an auditory processing model that characterizes the spectral and temporal modulations associated with a given input signal (clean speech in this case). A modified version of the spectro-temporal modulation index (mSTMI) was used to compare the template to both DIR- and OMNI-processed versions of a given listening environment, as processed through the same auditory model. These analyses were carried out on recordings (originally collected by Walden et al, 2007) of OMNI- and DIR-processed speech produced in a range of everyday listening situations. Walden et al reported OMNI/DIR preference judgments made by raters at the same time the field recordings were made and judgments based on laboratory presentations of these recordings to hearing-impaired and normal-hearing listeners. Preference predictions based on the mSTMI analyses were compared with both sets of preference judgments. Results: The mSTMI analyses showed better than 92% accuracy in predicting the field preferences and 82–85% accuracy in predicting the laboratory preference judgments. OMNI processing tended to be favored over DIR processing in cases where the analysis indicated fairly similar mSTMI scores across the two processing modes. This is consistent with the common clinical assignment of OMNI mode as the default setting, most likely to be preferred in cases where neither mode produces a substantial improvement in SNR. Listeners experienced with switchable OMNI/DIR hearing aids were more likely than other listeners to favor the DIR mode in instances where mSTMI scores only slightly favored DIR processing. Conclusions: A direct-comparison approach to OMNI/DIR mode selection was generally successful in predicting user preferences in a range of listening environments. Future modifications to the approach to further improve predictive accuracy are discussed.

Hearing Aid Amplification Reduces Communication Effort of People With Hearing Impairment and Their Conversation Partners

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 1299-1311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Beechey ◽  
Jörg M. Buchholz ◽  
Gitte Keidser
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Impairment ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Referential Communication ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Directional Hearing ◽  
Acoustic Environment ◽  
Communication Task ◽  
Acoustic Environments ◽  
The Impact

Objectives This study investigates the hypothesis that hearing aid amplification reduces effort within conversation for both hearing aid wearers and their communication partners. Levels of effort, in the form of speech production modifications, required to maintain successful spoken communication in a range of acoustic environments are compared to earlier reported results measured in unaided conversation conditions. Design Fifteen young adult normal-hearing participants and 15 older adult hearing-impaired participants were tested in pairs. Each pair consisted of one young normal-hearing participant and one older hearing-impaired participant. Hearing-impaired participants received directional hearing aid amplification, according to their audiogram, via a master hearing aid with gain provided according to the NAL-NL2 fitting formula. Pairs of participants were required to take part in naturalistic conversations through the use of a referential communication task. Each pair took part in five conversations, each of 5-min duration. During each conversation, participants were exposed to one of five different realistic acoustic environments presented through highly open headphones. The ordering of acoustic environments across experimental blocks was pseudorandomized. Resulting recordings of conversational speech were analyzed to determine the magnitude of speech modifications, in terms of vocal level and spectrum, produced by normal-hearing talkers as a function of both acoustic environment and the degree of high-frequency average hearing impairment of their conversation partner. Results The magnitude of spectral modifications of speech produced by normal-hearing talkers during conversations with aided hearing-impaired interlocutors was smaller than the speech modifications observed during conversations between the same pairs of participants in the absence of hearing aid amplification. Conclusions The provision of hearing aid amplification reduces the effort required to maintain communication in adverse conditions. This reduction in effort provides benefit to hearing-impaired individuals and also to the conversation partners of hearing-impaired individuals. By considering the impact of amplification on both sides of dyadic conversations, this approach contributes to an increased understanding of the likely impact of hearing impairment on everyday communication.

Toxic Political Leadership and the Problems of Professionals in Free State Municipalities

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Matheakuena Mohale
Keyword(s):  
Good Governance ◽  
Political Leadership ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Free State ◽  
Audit Report ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
Auditor General ◽  
Appointed Officials ◽  
The Impact

The 2016–17 Audit Report by the Auditor General points to the deterioration in audit results of South African municipalities. This deterioration confirms the perennial dysfunctionality of municipalities, at least from the governance perspective. Corporate governance is a function of leadership. Municipal councils are, therefore, responsible for the overall performance of municipalities they lead. Sound regulatory framework, good plans, clear strategies, policies, and systems are inadequate if not supported by highly gifted and ethical leadership. The Auditor General’s Audit Report suggests that local government struggles the most in the area of ethics. The Principal-Agent Theory argues that appointed officials are more likely to subvert the interests of an organisation. However, this article argues that the primary source of problems in municipalities is a combination of ineptitude and unethical political leadership taking root. This conclusion is based on the empirical comparative cases of eight municipalities in the Free State Province.  The conduct of councillors makes it difficult to attract and retain professionals in municipalities, resulting in notable deficiencies in the delivery of services. Essentially, councillors are the root cause for governance failure in municipalities arising from a number of factors. Findings in this study contribute towards the understanding of the impact of leadership in the failure of municipalities to meet good governance and developmental objectives. Further, they deepen the theoretical understanding of the political-administrative interface.

Antecedents And Outcomes Of Qwl Among Employees In Banks

2019 ◽  
Vol 118 (7) ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Geethanjali N ◽  
Parveen Roja M ◽  
Lavanya D
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Climate ◽  
Job Stress ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Quality Of Work Life ◽  
Quality Of Work ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Service Productivity ◽  
The Impact

Quality of work life is the major factor to be considered in working environment of any organization. The performance of employees and the organization lies on the ability of the employees based on working environment. The QWL leads to better working environment which improves the performance of organization. The present study has made an attempt to find the level of factors causing QWL and the impact of outcome of QWL in banks. Since the profile of the banks may be associated with the level of outcomes of QWL, the present study has made an attempt to examine it with the help of one way analysis of variance and t-test. The included outcomes of QWL are job satisfaction, job stress, organizational climate, organizational commitment, employees retention behaviour, service quality employees and service productivity of employees. The highly associated determinants of QWL and the significant difference among the PUSBs and PRSBs have been noticed. The significantly associating important profiles of the banks regarding the existence of outcome of QWL are identified.

Assessment of the impact of factors of the working environment on the health of workers in oil refining based on the analysis of morbidity

2020 ◽  
pp. 600-600 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. V. Ginko ◽  
T. M. Sushinskaya ◽  
A. L. Rybina
Keyword(s):  
Comparison Group ◽  
Main Group ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Oil Refinery ◽  
Oil Refining ◽  
Production Environment ◽  
The Impact

Studies have been conducted to assess the impact of factors of the production environment on employees of the oil refinery ofJSC «Naftan». Significant differences with the comparison group on the indicators of SVT were revealed. Priority nosological forms of employees of the main group are identified.

New areas of research in occupational medicine

2020 ◽  
pp. 811-811
Author(s):  
E. E. Shigan
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Medicine ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Medium Businesses ◽  
The Impact

The study of the preservation of worker's health in recent years is gaining more and more new areas of research, among which like to point out the problems of harmonization of age and work, the impact of unemployment on health and aspects of the impact of the working environment of small and medium businesses on health.

scholarly journals Impact and cost-effectiveness evaluation of a community-based rehabilitation intervention on quality of life among Chinese adults with hearing loss: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Ye ◽  
Dawei Zhu ◽  
Siyuan Chen ◽  
Xuefeng Shi ◽  
Rui Gong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Chinese Adults ◽  
Community Based ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Hearing loss is quite prevalent and can be related to people’s quality of life. To our knowledge, there are limited studies assessing the efficacy of hearing interventions on quality of life in adults. Therefore, we aim to conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to determine the impact and cost-effectiveness of community-based hearing rehabilitation on quality of life among Chinese adults with hearing loss. Methods/design In this two-arm feasibility study, participants aged 16 and above with some degree of hearing loss (n = 464) will be recruited from Linyi City, Shandong Province. They are randomly assigned to the treatment group or the control group. Those in the treatment group are prescribed with hearing aids, while those in the control group receive no intervention. Reinstruction in use of devices is provided for the treatment group during booster visits held 12 months post-randomization or unscheduled interim visits when necessary. Data are collected at baseline and the follow-up 20 months later. The primary outcome is changes in quality of life over a 20-month study period. Secondary outcomes include sub-dimensions in quality of life, physical functioning, chronic diseases, cognitive function, depression, social support, hospitalizations, falls, and healthcare costs. Finally, we will evaluate whether hearing aids intervention is cost-effective to apply in a large scale. Discussion The trial is designed to evaluate the impact and cost-effectiveness of a community-based rehabilitation intervention on quality of life among Chinese adults with hearing loss. We hope that it would help improve the well-being for Chinese adults and provide references in policy and practice for China and other countries. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1900024739. Registered on 26 July 2019.

scholarly journals Is the perceived impact of disciplinary procedures on medical doctors’ professional practice associated with working in an open culture and feeling supported? A questionnaire among medical doctors in the Netherlands who have been disciplined

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e036922
Author(s):  
Berber S Laarman ◽  
Renée J R Bouwman ◽  
Anke J E de Veer ◽  
Roland D Friele
Keyword(s):  
Professional Practice ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Perceived Support ◽  
Medical Doctors ◽  
Safe Environment ◽  
Item Questionnaire ◽  
Disciplinary Procedures ◽  
Perceived Impact ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionDisciplinary procedures can have a negative impact on the professional functioning of medical doctors. In this questionnaire study, doctors’ experience with open culture and support during a disciplinary procedure is studied to determine whether open culture and support are associated with perceived changes in the professional practice of doctors.MethodsAll doctors who received a warning or a reprimand from the Dutch Medical Disciplinary Board between July 2012 and August 2016 were invited to fill in a 60-item questionnaire concerning open culture, perceived support during the disciplinary procedure and the impact of the procedure on professional functioning as reported by doctors themselves. The response rate was 43% (n=294).ResultsA majority of doctors perceive their work environment as a safe environment in which to talk about and report incidents (71.2% agreed). Respondents felt supported by a lawyer or legal representative and colleagues (92.8% and 89.2%, respectively). The disciplinary procedure had effects on professional practice. Legal support and support from a professional confidant and a professional association were associated with fewer perceived changes to professional practice.ConclusionOur study shows that doctors who had been disciplined perceive their working environment as open. Doctors felt supported by lawyers and/or legal representatives and colleagues. Legal support was associated with less of a perceived impact on doctors’ professional practice.

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