A Sugeno Fuzzy Model for Noise Induced Hearing Loss in the Mining Industry

Abstract

This paper describes a fuzzy system approach to modeling of noise-induced hearing loss, one of the most dangerous effects of noise in the mining industry. Hearing loss has been considered as a function of noise level, frequency, and exposure time. The model is simulated using MATLAB for Takagi-Sugeno-Kang (TSK) inference mechanism. The model results are compared with the survey findings of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Pittsburgh and were found to be in good agreement. The model clearly brings out the salient features of the surveys concerning the variation of hearing loss with frequency for various duration of exposure times, viz., the hearing loss is not appreciable below 2kHz. The model results closely match with the NIOSH results in 2–6 kHz at 90 dB (A) and with the EPA results in 2–8 kHz at 85 dBA. It was observed that for 0–6 years of exposure, the hearing loss as per NIOSH was between 0 – 20 dB, whereas it was between 0–25 dB (not significant) as per American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology (AAOO). The model clearly shows that the duration of exposure can be used to infer the hearing loss for mining and industrial workers of different age groups.