Effects of Wideband Auditory Noise on Manual Control Performance and Dynamic Response.
Abstract
Noise is a common stress in the aerospace environment, and the purpose of this study was to investigate its effect on manual control performance and associated behavior. Nine subjects were subjected to white noise at four intensity levels of 55 dB, 75 dB, 95 dB, and 115 dB while performing a simulated pitch/roll tracking task with a high attentional demand. Performance actually improved under noise, presumably due to an arousal effect. The human operator's dynamic response properties were not affected by noise, however, and the performance effects arose from a reduction in remnant (subject tracking noise) and possibly cross coupling internal to the operator. A measure of subjective reaction to the noise environment showed high sensitivity to the various noise levels and some habituation over three experimental sessions. Also, tracking performance showed steady improvement over the three sessions, probably due to learning. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA018667
Entities
People
- Henry R. Jex
- R. Wade Allen
- Raymond E. Magdaleno