A Wireless Audiometric Headset that Integrates Hearing Testing, Education, and Personalized Hearing Protection Fitting

项目摘要/摘要 尽管职业性噪声性听力损失的解决方案似乎很容易--训练和提供听力 在高噪音环境中为员工提供保护器-听力损失仍然是最常见的疾病之一 与工作有关的疾病。根据国家职业安全与健康研究所的数据，大约17%的人 工人暴露在危险噪音中(约2200万工人)。然而，尽管实施了 工业听力保护计划遵循OSHA 1983年的听力保护修正案， 在过去30年(1981-2010年)中，噪音导致的听力损失发生率下降了不到1%。喜欢 大多数其他个人防护装备、听力保护，特别是耳塞，必须正确使用才能做到 他们的工作。正确使用耳塞需要两个步骤：(1)训练正确插入耳塞；(2)测试 在自行插入耳塞后，确保训练有效(并随着时间的推移加强训练)。 研究表明，就个人佩戴听力保护器的情况提供实际反馈 对他们可靠地实现充分保护的能力产生重大影响。这种技术被称为 “合体测试。”尽管已经开发了用于执行“适合性测试”的系统，但它们需要训练有素的管理员 来进行测量。 Creare与其临床和研究合作伙伴合作，提议开发一种移动低成本Fit测试 具有集成听力计的设备，以帮助接触噪声的工人确认他们得到了足够的保护和 降低他们的日常暴露水平。这种方法具有以非常低的成本产生巨大影响的潜力，因为它 雇主和工人只需付出最少的努力就可以大大改善现有的听证制度 保护计划。

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Although the solution to occupational noise-induced hearing loss seems easy—train and provide hearing protectors to employees in high noise environments—hearing loss continues to be one of the most common work-related illnesses. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, about 17% of all workers are exposed to hazardous noise (about 22 million workers). Yet, despite the implementation of industrial hearing conservation programs following OSHA’s 1983 Hearing Conservation Amendment, the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss decreased less than 1% over the last 30 years (1981–2010). Like most other personal protective equipment, hearing protection, especially earplugs, must be used properly to do their job. Proper use of earplugs requires two steps: (1) training proper insertion of earplugs, and (2) testing after self-insertion of the earplug to ensure the training was effective (and to reinforce training over time). Research has shown that providing actual feedback on how well individuals don their hearing protectors has a significant impact on their ability to reliably achieve adequate protection. This technique is referred to as “fit-testing.” Although systems have been developed to perform “fit-testing,” they require a trained administrator to perform the measurement. Creare, in collaboration with its clinical and research partners, proposes to develop a mobile low-cost fit testing device, with integrated audiometer, to help noise-exposed workers confirm they are adequately protected and lower their daily exposure. Such an approach has the potential for high impact at very low cost because it requires minimal effort on the part of the employers and workers to greatly improve the existing hearing conservation programs.