Objective Comparison of Protection Effectiveness, Situation Awareness, and User Preference of Foam vs. Deep Custom-Molded Earplugs, Inclusive of User Training Implications
Abstract
Fundamentally, the major aim of this research is to compare slow-recovery, one-size-fits-most, foam earplugs to deeply-molded, personalized-fit custom-molded earplugs. This comparison will be empirical, objective, and aimed specifically at determining the appropriateness of each earplug for application in severe noise exposures on-board Navy ships. The evaluation will include both measurement of protective effectiveness (attenuation) toward meeting exposure regulations (MIL-STD-1474D Department of design criteria standard: Noise limits), as well as measurement of the impact on the user’s auditory situation awareness in environs where auditory signals must be attended to. The focus of this proposed research program to be conducted by the Virginia Tech Auditory Systems Lab (VT-ASL) is to answer 4 important questions regarding the selection of hearing protection devices (HPDs) of earplug style for high-noise exposure shipboard applications in the U.S. Navy. 1) Determine foam and custom-mold earplug protective performance as measured by ANSI S12.6-2008 real-ear attenuation test procedures. 2) Determine whether initial user fit training with the foam and custom-mold earplugs is actually sustained (i.e., resistant to extinction), after a 3-week period in Session 3, after the subjects have undergone training per Method A attenuation tests conducted prior in Session 2 with each earplug. 3) Determine foam and custom-mold earplug situation awareness performance as measured by either Virginia Tech’s DRILCOM objective test procedure, in a representative Navy carrier deck noise (e.g., F18 taxi/take-off) or similarly constructed field experiment at a remote site. 4) Determine comfort, fitting acceptability, usage acceptability and user confidence for the foam and custom-mold earplugs, as measured using an appropriately modified version of the VT-ASL’s comfort and acceptability rating scales.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141512569
Entities
People
- John G. Casali
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- Virginia Tech