Lowe, Lawrence (1976) An investigation into the applications of real-time computing techniques in industrial audiometry. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

Preview

Text WRAP_thesis_Lowe_1976.pdf - Submitted Version Download (9Mb) | Preview

Request Changes to record.

Abstract

The past decade has witnessed an unprecedented public
concern about the effects of high noise levels. The concern has
mostly resulted from the increased noise levels of aircraft and the
annoyance which that noise can cause to an individual exposed to it
regularly. An effect of high level noise which has also resulted in
enormous concern, but mostly out of the public-eye, has been that of
noise induced hearing loss. Throughout industry in the U.K. alone
there is an estimated 2 million people subjected to noise levels
sufficiently high to endanger their hearing if regular exposure
continues over a period of years. In order that these people may be
protected from eventual partial or complete deafness their hearing
acuity must be measured at regular intervals. The general title of
the techniques used for making this measurement is audiometry. In
industry there is a growing requirement for accurate and reliable but
fast and simple-to-use audiometric equipment to cope with the large
numbers of workers requiring regular examination. As a result of
recent advances in the design and performance of digital computers
intended for control applications the decision was made to investigate
their possible use in routine audiometry and in particular in an
industrial audiometric unit.

Initially in this thesis, an extensive review of the
existing audiometric techniques as used in hearing conservation programmes is given. In addition, deficiencies in the methods
presently used are highlighted and discussed to reveal possible suitable
areas for the application of computer techniques. As a result of this
work a new concept of a screening audiometer is evolved in the form of
an adaptive screening instrument capable of adjusting its measuring
technique to produce optimum results from each subject and of
performing much of the record keeping and result-scanning presently
done by hand.

To substantiate this theoretical work the proposed
audiometer system was built on a computer situated in the University.
A series of examinations were performed using the system and the
results compared with others obtained from the same people by a
conventional method. The two sets of results agreed to within
acceptable limits and the degree of personal attention required to
administer the test was greatly reduced.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA76 Electronic computers. Computer science. Computer software
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Audiometry , Hearing disorders -- Diagnosis , Hearing levels, Deafness -- Prevention
Official Date:	December 1976
Dates:	Date Event December 1976 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	School of Engineering
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Marples, V.
Sponsors:	Science and Engineering Research Council (Great Britain) (SERC)
Extent:	ix, 140 leaves : illustrations
Language:	eng

Request changes or add full text files to a record

Repository staff actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads