MOTIVATIONAL TOOL FOR HEARING CONSERVATION USING HEARING LOSS SIMULATION

描述（由申请人提供）：拟议的工作旨在开发一种新的基于计算机的听力保护教育/激励工具。设计该工具时采用的新方法是将听力损失模拟纳入教育演示中，以强调潜在听力损失的削弱作用。所使用的听力损失模拟是基于对听力损伤对检测、辨别和言语接收的影响的心理声学研究。该工具将由若干模块组成，展示噪声引起的听力损失（包括因衰老而增加的听力损失）对听音乐和语言交流等活动的影响，以及助听器可能提供的帮助。通过选择包括哪些模块，听力保护者将能够根据特定群体的需求和背景定制演示文稿。其他功能将允许演示文稿针对个人用户进行个性化。从历史上看，对这种激励工具的最大需求一直是在高噪音的工作环境中。但是，随着人们越来越多地接触到高水平的音乐，也产生了对针对年轻人的此类材料的需求。通过其灵活的设计，将开发的演示系统将能够适应听力保护的需要，在职业和娱乐环境中，无论是一对一或群体的情况。第一阶段的工作将制定总体系统设计，并将实施几个职业噪音模块进行评估。原型工具的有效性将通过两种方式进行评估：1）通过听力保护领域专家小组的反馈; 2）通过对噪声暴露工人进行现场试验评估。假设这些评估的结果是积极的，随后的第二阶段工作将：1）完成第一阶段职业噪音版本产品的开发，以及2）开发一个针对过度暴露于大声音乐的对应版本。公共卫生相关性该项目旨在开发一种更有效的激励措施，以保护人们的听力。拟议的系统将使用听力损失模拟来演示与他人交谈和听音乐等日常活动过度暴露于大声声音的潜在后果。该系统将产生基于模拟的多媒体演示，可根据职业和娱乐环境中的个人或群体特点进行定制。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The proposed work is aimed at developing a new computer-based educational/motivational tool for hearing conservation. The novel approach taken in designing this tool is to incorporate simulations of hearing loss into educational presentations to demonstrate emphatically the debilitating effects of potential hearing loss. The hearing loss simulation to be used is based on psychoacoustical research into the effects of hearing impairment on detection, discrimination, and speech reception. The tool will consist of modules demonstrating the impact of noise-induced hearing loss (including added loss from aging) on such activities as listening to music and speech communication, as well as the possible assistance that might be available from hearing aids. By selecting which modules to include, a hearing conservationist will be able to customize the presentation to the needs and context of a specific group. Additional features will allow the presentation to be personalized for an individual user. Historically, the greatest need for such motivational tools has been in high-noise work environments. But increased exposure to high levels of music has created a need for such materials addressed to young people as well. By its flexible design, the presentation system to be developed will be able to accommodate hearing conservation needs in both occupational and recreational settings, in either one-on-one or group situations. Phase 1 work will develop the overall system design and will implement several of the occupational noise modules for evaluation. Efficacy of the prototype tool will be assessed in two ways: 1) via feedback from a panel of experts in the hearing conservation field; and 2) by field trial evaluations administered to noise-exposed workers. Assuming positive outcomes of these evaluations, subsequent Phase 2 work will: 1) complete the development of the Phase 1 occupational-noise version of the product, and 2) develop a counterpart version aimed at over-exposure to loud music. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE This project is aimed at developing a more effective motivator for people to safeguard their hearing. The proposed system will use simulations of hearing loss to demonstrate the potential consequences of over-exposure to loud sounds for everyday activities such as speaking with others and listening to music. The system will result in simulation-based multimedia presentations that are customizable to individual or group characteristics in both occupational and recreational settings.