Auditory Perception

Abstract

Auditory perception involves the human listener's awareness or apprehension of auditory stimuli in the environment. Auditory stimuli, which include speech communications as well as non-speech signals, occur in the presence and absence of environmental noise. Non-speech auditory signals range from simple pure tones to complex signals found in three-dimensional auditory displays. Special hearing protection device (HPD) designs, as well as additions to conventional protectors, have been developed to improve speech communication and auditory perception capabilities of those exposed to noise. The thoughtful design of auditory stimuli and the proper design, selection, and use of HPDs within the environment can improve human performance and reduce accidents. The purpose of this symposium will be to discuss issues in auditory perception and to describe methods to improve the perception of auditory stimuli in environments with and without noise. The issues of interest include the perception of non-speech auditory signals and the improvement of auditory perception capabilities of persons exposed to noise. The first three papers of this symposium describe the perception of non-speech auditory signals. Ellen Haas defines the extent to which certain signal elements affect the perceived urgency of auditory warning signals. Michael D. Good and Dr. Robert H. Gilkey investigate free-field masking as a function of the spatial separation between signal and masker sounds within the horizontal and median planes. Jeffrey M. Gerth explores the discrimination of complex auditory signal components that differ by sound category, temporal pattern, density, and component manipulation. The fourth paper of this symposium focuses upon the improvement of auditory perception capabilities of persons exposed to hazardous noise, and who must wear hearing protection. Special HPD designs, as well as additions to conventional protectors, have been developed to improve speech communication and auditory perception capabilities of persons exposed to noise. Dr. John G. Casali reviews several new HPD technologies and describes construction features, empirical performance data, and applications of each device. These papers illustrate current research issues in the perception of auditory signals. The issues are all relevant to the human factors engineering of auditory signals and personal protective gear. The perception of auditory stimuli can be improved by the thoughtful human factors design of auditory stimuli and by the proper use of HPDs.