Predictive models of speech perception and communication in the noisy workplace

噪音是工作场所的主要问题。在一些职业环境中，工人暴露在非常高的噪音水平下，永久性听力损失的患病率远远超过一般人群的预期。职业噪音也可能导致暂时性听力损失，并可能损害语言交流和环境意识。这不仅会对工作效率产生不利影响，而且还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限制在更安全的水平，但它们可能会加剧已有听力损失的人的沟通问题。先进的数字通信设备与水平相关的听力保护能力提供了新的机会，优化语音通信在嘈杂的工作场所。然而，我们缺乏适当的测量测试标准，以评估这些设备和基本知识，他们对语音产生和感知的影响。该研究计划的主要目标是开发语音沟通的定量方法和模型，以解决嘈杂工作场所中的关键健康和安全问题。这项新的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。客观的测量和主观的听力实验将有助于新的知识的影响，保护设备的语音生产和感知噪声中的相互作用与听力状态的听众和谈话者。除了支持开发实用工具来评估嘈杂工作场所中的语音通信外，该研究计划还将有助于应用新的声学标准程序来优化听力保护设备的选择，并根据对任务需求，通信要求和保护设备使用的详细分析设计听力健康工作就业标准。

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.