关于在工业噪声中使用助听器算法：平衡言语可懂度与听力保护

文献信息

中文摘要

听力保护装置（HPDs）被广泛用于降低工业环境中噪声性听力损失的风险。然而，传统HPDs常常会妨碍听力损失工人的沟通。虽然这些工人在日常生活中可能依赖助听器，但在嘈杂工作场所使用此类设备的潜在益处和相关风险仍未得到探索。本研究评估了不同助听器信号处理算法对言语可懂度的影响，并估算了工业噪声条件下的噪声暴露，以表征为听力损失工人开发解决方案所需的沟通与保护之间的平衡。一个集成了耳内接收器和外部麦克风的数字听力保护研究平台被配置为实时声卡。典型的助听器算法，包括线性放大、宽动态范围压缩（WDRC）、数字降噪（DNR）和压缩限幅，以不同配置实现。两组参与者，一组听力正常，一组有听力损失，在两种呈现水平下使用木工工厂噪声完成了噪声中听力测试（HINT），并进行了聆听努力度和声音清晰度与自然度的主观评分。还估算了每种配置的噪声暴露。结果显示，信号处理策略和噪声呈现水平对可懂度和噪声暴露均有显著影响。结合DNR、WDRC和压缩限幅在平衡可懂度和噪声暴露方面显示出有希望的结果，特别是对听力损失参与者。研究结果强调了听觉益处与暴露风险之间的权衡，并呼吁对在工业噪声中使用听力设备提高认识。

英文摘要

Hearing protection devices (HPDs) are widely used to mitigate the risks of noise-induced hearing loss in industrial environments. However, conventional HPDs can often hinder communication for workers with hearing loss. While those workers may rely on hearing aids in their daily lives, the potential benefits and associated risks of using such devices in noisy workplaces remain unexplored. This study evaluated the effects of different hearing aid signal processing algorithms on speech intelligibility and estimated noise exposure under industrial noise conditions to characterize the balance between communication and protection needed to develop solutions for workers with hearing loss. A digital hearing protection research platform integrating in-ear receivers and external microphones was configured as a real-time soundcard. Typical hearing aid algorithms, including linear amplification, Wide Dynamic Range Compression (WDRC), digital noise reduction (DNR), and compression limiting, were implemented in different configurations. Two groups, one with normal hearing and one with hearing loss, completed the Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) with a wood-working factory noise at two presentation levels, along with subjective ratings of listening effort and voice clarity and naturalness. Noise exposure for each configuration was also estimated. Results showed significant effects of signal processing strategies and noise presentation levels on both intelligibility and noise exposure. Combining DNR, WDRC and compression limiting showed promising results to balance intelligibility and noise exposure, particularly for participants with hearing loss. The findings emphasize the trade-off between auditory benefit and exposure risk, and call for greater awareness regarding the use of hearing devices in industrial noise.