The Impact of Hearing Protection on Sound Localization and Orienting Behavior

Abstract

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The influence of ski helmets on sound perception and sound localisation on the ski slope

“…In our previous study, which was performed in a laborato ry [11], we announced that it would be the next step in our future research. Some authors investigating military helmets noted that sound localization cues may be severely disrupted by hearing protection and that a listener could recover little or no information regarding the direction of sound source origin [20]. That study has also proven that ear protection causes errors in the lateral orientation accounted for by front-back confusions, indicating that protective devices disrupt high-frequency spectral cues that are the basis for discriminating front from back sound sources [16].…”

Assessment of the audibility area of auditory danger signals produced by industrial truck

“…Odbiór dźwięko-wego sygnału bezpieczeństwa jest możliwy jednak wtedy, gdy zostanie on odpowiednio zaprojektowany [4][5][6][7]. Należy także mieć na uwadze, że praca w hałasie o wysokim poziomie często wymaga stosowania ochronników słuchu, co może jeszcze bardziej pogorszyć odbieranie dźwiękowego sygnału bezpieczeństwa [4,[8][9][10][11].…”

Effects of in-the-ear microphone directionality on sound direction identification

“…Both hearing aids and hearing protective devices are reported to degrade sound localization performance ͑Noble et al., 1990;Abel and Armstrong, 1993;Byrne et al, 1998, Vause andGrantham, 1999;Bolia et al, 2001;Brungart et al, 2004;Simpson et al, 2005. Interaural time and level difference cues are the primary cues used for localization of sound in the horizontal plane ͑Blauert, 1997͒.…”

“…Previous studies have shown that many HPDs degrade users' localization ability and affect the acceptability of HPDs ͑Noble et al, 1990;Abel and Armstrong, 1993;Vause and Grantham, 1999;Bolia et al, 2001;Brungart et al, 2004;Simpson et al, 2005͒. A literature search revealed that only a few research studies have examined the effect of directional microphones on hearing aid users' localization performance.…”