Predictive models of speech perception and communication in the noisy workplace

噪音是工作场所的一个主要问题。在一些职业环境中，工人暴露于非常高的噪音水平，永久性听力损失的患病率远远超过一般人群的预期。职业性噪音也可能导致暂时的听力损失，并可能损害语言交流和情景感知。这不仅会影响工作效率，而且会危及工人和公共安全。个人防护设备，如耳罩和耳塞，通常用于将噪音暴露在更安全的水平，但它们可能会加剧已有听力损失的人的沟通问题。具有电平依赖听力保护功能的先进数字通信设备为优化嘈杂工作场所的语音通信提供了新的机会。然而，我们缺乏适当的测量测试标准来评估这些设备以及它们对语音产生和感知的影响的基本知识。该研究计划的主要目标是开发定量方法和语音通信模型，以解决嘈杂工作场所中关键的健康和安全问题。这项新研究旨在揭示相关的声学参数，并在使用先进的听力保护设备的同时，对噪声中的语音通信进行建模。客观测量和主观聆听实验将有助于了解防护设备在与听者和说话者的听力状态相互作用下对语音产生和感知的影响。除了支持开发实用工具来评估嘈杂工作场所的语音交流外，该研究项目还将有助于应用新的声学标准程序来优化听力保护装置的选择，并在详细分析任务需求、通信要求和保护设备使用的基础上，设计工作听力健康就业标准。

Noise is a main problem in the workplace. In several occupational settings, workers are exposed to very high noise levels and the prevalence of permanent hearing loss far exceeds that expected in the general population. Occupational noise may also incur temporary loss of hearing and can compromise speech communication and situational awareness. This can not only adversely affect work efficiency, but also jeopardize worker and public safety. Personal protective equipment, such as earmuffs and earplugs, is often used to limit noise exposure to safer levels, but they may exacerbate communication problems in individuals with pre-existing hearing loss. Advanced digital communication devices with level-dependent hearing protection capabilities provide new opportunities to optimize speech communication in the noisy workplace. However, we lack proper measurement test standards to assess these devices and basic knowledge about their effects on speech production and perception. The main objective of the research program is to develop quantitative methods and models of speech communication to address critical health and safety concerns in the noisy workplace. The new research aims at uncovering the relevant acoustic parameters and modelling speech communication in noise while using advanced hearing protection devices. Objective measurements and subjective listening experiments will contribute new knowledge on the effects of protective equipment on speech production and perception in noise in interaction with the hearing status of the listener and talker. In addition to supporting the development of practical tools to assess speech communication in the noisy workplace, the research program will also contribute to the application of new acoustical standard procedures for the optimal selection of hearing protection devices and to the design of hearing fitness-for-work employment standards based on detailed analyses of task demands, communication requirements and use of protective equipment.