A statistical model for prediction of functional hearing abilities in real-world noise environments

Abstract

Many tasks require functional hearing abilities such as speech communication, sound localization, and sound detection, and are performed in challenging noisy environments. Individuals who must perform these tasks and whose functional hearing abilities are impaired by hearing loss may constitute safety risks to themselves and others. We have developed and validated in two languages (American English and Canadian French) statistical techniques based on Plomps (1986) speech reception threshold model of speech communication handicap. These techniques predict functional hearing ability using the statistical characteristics of the real-world noise environments where the tasks are performed together with the communication task parameters. The techniques will be used by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada to screen individuals who are required to perform hearing-critical public safety tasks. This presentation will summarize the three years of field and laboratory work culminating in the implementation of the model. Emphases will be placed on the methods for statistical characterization of noise environments, since these methods may allow generalization of the model to a wider range of real-world noise environments. [Work sponsored by Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.]