Investigations of Auditory Filters Based Excitation Patterns for Assessment of Noise Induced Hearing Loss

Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) as one of major avoidable occupational related health issues has been studied for decades. In order to accurately evaluate NIHL, several metrics that are based on the response of human auditory system have been developed. Excitation pattern (EP), as the responses of basilar membrane (BM) in cochlea, is correlated with auditory fatigue, which is considered as one fundamental mechanism of NIHL. Therefore, research on understanding EP of BM and its effect on human hearing loss is needed. In this study, two EP based models, referring as loudness EP and velocity EP, are proposed based on applying two typical auditory filters, rounded-exponential (ROEX) filter and dual resonant nonlinear (DRNL) filter, respectively. Moreover, two EP based noise metrics are developed to evaluate the hazardous caused by different types of noises (i.e., Gaussian and impact noises). The results show that both EP models can reflect the BM response to the input noise. For the assessment of Gaussian noise, two EP models are comparable, whereas the velocity EP is more accurate than the loudness EP on analysis of impact noise. The loudness EP may underestimate the hazardous caused by impact noise at high frequency.

To test a kurtosis-adjusted cumulative noise exposure (CNE) metric for use in evaluating the risk of hearing loss among workers exposed to industrial noises. Specifically, to evaluate whether the kurtosis-adjusted CNE (1) provides a better association with observed industrial noise-induced hearing loss, and (2) provides a single metric applicable to both complex (non-Gaussian [non-G]) and continuous or steady state (Gaussian [G]) noise exposures for predicting noise-induced hearing loss (dose-response curves). Audiometric and noise exposure data were acquired on a population of screened workers (N = 341) from two steel manufacturing plants located in Zhejiang province and a textile manufacturing plant located in Henan province, China. All the subjects from the two steel manufacturing plants (N = 178) were exposed to complex noise, whereas the subjects from textile manufacturing plant (N = 163) were exposed to a G continuous noise. Each subject was given an otologic examination to determine their pure-tone HTL and had their personal 8-hr equivalent A-weighted noise exposure (LAeq) and full-shift noise kurtosis statistic (which is sensitive to the peaks and temporal characteristics of noise exposures) measured. For each subject, an unadjusted and kurtosis-adjusted CNE index for the years worked was created. Multiple linear regression analysis controlling for age was used to determine the relationship between CNE (unadjusted and kurtosis adjusted) and the mean HTL at 3, 4, and 6 kHz (HTL346) among the complex noise-exposed group. In addition, each subject's HTLs from 0.5 to 8.0 kHz were age and sex adjusted using Annex A (ISO-1999) to determine whether they had adjusted high-frequency noise-induced hearing loss (AHFNIHL), defined as an adjusted HTL shift of 30 dB or greater at 3.0, 4.0, or 6.0 kHz in either ear. Dose-response curves for AHFNIHL were developed separately for workers exposed to G and non-G noise using both unadjusted and adjusted CNE as the exposure matric. Multiple linear regression analysis among complex exposed workers demonstrated that the correlation between HTL3,4,6 and CNE controlling for age was improved when using the kurtosis-adjusted CNE compared with the unadjusted CNE (R = 0.386 versus 0.350) and that noise accounted for a greater proportion of hearing loss. In addition, although dose-response curves for AHFNIHL were distinctly different when using unadjusted CNE, they overlapped when using the kurtosis-adjusted CNE. For the same exposure level, the prevalence of NIHL is greater in workers exposed to complex noise environments than in workers exposed to a continuous noise. Kurtosis adjustment of CNE improved the correlation with NIHL and provided a single metric for dose-response effects across different types of noise. The kurtosis-adjusted CNE may be a reasonable candidate for use in NIHL risk assessment across a wide variety of noise environments.

We investigate the use of Fourier plane nonlinear filtering for phase-encoded images. We investigate the performance of the nonlinear joint transform correlator and the nonlinearly transformed matched filter for phase-encoded images with different types of input noise. We use the peak-to-output-energy ratio, peak-to-sidelobe ratio, and discrimination ratio as the metrics for measuring the performances. We mathematically analyze the peak-to-output-energy ratio of the nonlinearly transformed matched filter for phase-encoded images with spatially nonoverlapping white noise. Computer simulations are provided to show the performance improvements of the nonlinear filtering techniques for the phase-encoded images. In comparison with linear filtering techniques, we find that the nonlinear filtering techniques substantially improve the performance metrics. From the computer-simulation results it can be seen that the nonlinear joint transform correlator performs better than the nonlinearly transformed matched filter in detecting phase-encoded targets in the presence of different types of noise, such as additive overlapping white noise, spatially nonoverlapping white background noise, spatially nonoverlapping colored background noise, and nontarget objects.

Noise in an image may be unwanted signals, elements or any natural involvement. De-noising the noisy image is a very crucial task, for which there are number of different methods, algorithms and transforms available. In this paper, a review of different types of image noise and methods of de-noising has been discussed. The merits and demerits of the techniques have also been discussed. The filters and domains for different types of noise is discuss like in Salt and Pepper NSM Filter show good result, Gaussian noise Linear and Non-Filter, Speckle noise spatial and frequency domain and Poisson ROF model use. Comparison of domain, filter and their result is done in different types of noise. The focus of the work is to identify the advantages and disadvantages of different algorithms.

NADH against noise-induced hearing loss: Evidence from models of "temporary" and "permanent" deafness.

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) has been found in rural children, potentially due to occupational and recreational noise exposure without consistent use of hearing protection devices (HPDs). However, questions remain regarding the specifics of rural adolescents' noise exposure and use of hearing protection around different types of noise. As such, the purpose of the current study was to provide preliminary results on rural adolescents' noise exposure and use of hearing protection for gunfire, heavy machinery, power tools, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and music. A questionnaire was administered to 197 students (seventh to 12th grade) from rural schools in West Texas. Questions were related to noise exposure and use of HPDs for specific categories of noise. Testing was performed at the schools, with an investigator recording each student's responses. Approximately 18%-44% of adolescents reported exposure 12 or more times a year to gunfire, heavy machinery, power tools, and ATVs. Only 1%-18% of the adolescents reported never being exposed to such noise sources. Almost half of rural adolescents never used hearing protection around gunfire, and 77%-91% reported never wearing hearing protection when exposed to heavy machinery, power tools, and ATVs. The current study revealed that rural adolescents are exposed to noise sources that could damage their hearing. However, the majority of rural adolescents do not consistently wear hearing protection. Additional research is now needed to extend these findings by assessing rural adolescents' duration of exposure to different noise sources, in addition to investigating prevention of NIHL in this population. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.17139335.

Over thirty million Americans suffer from noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). Previous research demonstrated that different types of noises, even with equal sound energies, could produce different amounts of hearing loss. In this project, a novel digital noise exposure system has been developed for generating various noise signals (e.g. pure-tone, Gaussian, impulsive, and complex noise). The developed system can be used to study NIHL in animal models. The system could produce impulse noise with peak sound pressure level (SPL) up to 160 dB, which effectively mimics the noise generated by a military weapon (e.g., M-16 rifle). The preliminary results of in an animal study showed significant permanent threshold shift (PTS) produced by 90 shocks impulse noise with peak SPL = 155 dB generated by the system. In summary, the digital noise exposure system replicates environmental noise allowing researchers to study impulse noise induced hearing loss in a controlled situation.

Over thirty million Americans suffer from noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). Previous research demonstrated that different types of noises, even with equal sound energies, could produce different amounts of hearing loss. In this project, a novel digital noise exposure system has been developed for generating various noise signals (e.g. pure-tone, Gaussian, impulsive, and complex noise). The developed system can be used to study NIHL in animal models. The system could produce impulse noise with peak sound pressure level (SPL) up to 160 dB, which effectively mimics the noise generated by a military weapon (e.g., M-16 rifle). The preliminary results of in an animal study showed significant permanent threshold shift (PTS) produced by 90 shocks impulse noise with peak SPL = 155 dB generated by the system. In summary, the digital noise exposure system replicates environmental noise allowing researchers to study impulse noise induced hearing loss in a controlled situation.

Population systems are often subject to various different types of environmental noises. This paper considers a class of Kolmogorov-type systems perturbed by three different types of noise including Brownian motions, Markovian switching processes, and Poisson jumps, which is described by a regime-switching jump diffusion process. This paper examines these three different types of noises and determines their effects on the properties of the systems. The properties to be studied include existence and uniqueness of global positive solutions, boundedness of this positive solution, and asymptotic growth property, and extinction in the senses of the almost sure and the $p$th moment. Finally, this paper also considers a stochastic Lotka-Volterra system with regime-switching jump diffusion processes as a special case.

Recent research into the assessment of worker noise exposure has demonstrated that the combination of impulsive noise and continuous noise creates an additional risk of developing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Zhang et al (2021) demonstrated that workers exposed to non-Gaussian noise accumulated NIHL at a faster rate over their careers than worker exposed to Gaussian noise. The kurtosis statistic of the sound pressure distribution provides a means to adjust the estimated risk of hearing loss between exposure groups exposed to different types of noise. This paper will review the results from our recent studies of kurtosis and exposure level. Some unanswered questions involve the selection of a suitable sample length to estimate kurtosis, the selection of a compensation factor to apply, and understanding the differences exhibited in short (less than 10 years) and long-term exposures and kurtosis.

Interactions between different types of industrial noises and work tasks

Basic and applied aspects of noise-induced hearing loss: R.J. Salvi, D. Henderson, R.P. Hamernik and V. Colletti (Eds.) (Plenum, New York, 1986, 666 p., U.S. $97.50)

Introduction. Noise-induced hearing loss is a rather prevalent condition and can be distressing for a substantial proportion of patients, although researches describing psychological characteristics in noise-induced occupational hearing loss patients are not numerous.The study aims to find the effects of occupational noise on the psychological status among noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) patients.Methods. Two groups, cross-sectional design. Study sample: 44 occupational noiseinduced male forming NIHL patients group (n = 21) and a control group (n = 23). Both groups were tested using the Russian versions of psychological questionnaires.Results. Almost one third of NIHL patients are the highly anxiety individuals as compared with the healthy participants (p < 0.01). Mixed type of response to the surrounding reality combined a high need for self-actualization with high self-control, tendency to inhibit and restrain behavioral reactions, in this case it is possible to “overlap” both neurotic and behavioral responses, which can affect the general overstrain and manifest by the somatization of the internal conflict. In general, NIHL patients use constructive cognitive, emotional and behavioral coping strategies. Patients use both constructive and tense defense mechanisms. Conclusion. It has been established that in patients with NIHL, in comparison with practically healthy persons, tension accumulates, and a tendency to psychotraumatization appears. However, it is currently difficult to determine whether NIHL is a predisposing factor for these psychological characteristics, so further research is needed to determine how significant this relationship is. Key words: noise-induced hearing loss, occupational noise, psychological profile>˂ 0.01). Mixed type of response to the surrounding reality combined a high need for self-actualization with high self-control, tendency to inhibit and restrain behavioral reactions, in this case it is possible to “overlap” both neurotic and behavioral responses, which can affect the general overstrain and manifest by the somatization of the internal conflict. In general, NIHL patients use constructive cognitive, emotional and behavioral coping strategies. Patients use both constructive and tense defense mechanisms.Conclusion. It has been established that in patients with NIHL, in comparison with practically healthy persons, tension accumulates, and a tendency to psychotraumatization appears. However, it is currently difficult to determine whether NIHL is a predisposing factor for these psychological characteristics, so further research is needed to determine how significant this relationship is.

Effect of earplug use and factors associated with noise induced hearing loss among occupational workers in Guangzhou, China

Robustness of Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) systems in realistic conditions of background noise is the essential conditions for their ample diffusion. As we know, the systems which exist at present suffer, however, a notable decrease in performance in the presence of background noise. In this article we propose an ASR system based on a dynamic characterization of background noise. In particular, the system makes a dynamic choice of HMM model related to the different types of noise and corresponding to different signal to noise ratios (SNR). The system was implemented and the tests performed using the AURORA2 database. The results were compared with a nonadaptive classification system in the presence of clean conditions and 4 different types of background noise and with 6 different SNRs. The proposed ASR system was found to be particularly adapted to applications functioning in extremely noisy contexts.