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Hearing Care: Safe Listening Method and System for Personal Listening Devices

Author

Listed:
  • Fei Chen

    (School of Computer Science and Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
    MOE Key Laboratory of Computer Network and Information Integration, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China)

  • Hui Xue

    (School of Computer Science and Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
    MOE Key Laboratory of Computer Network and Information Integration, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China)

  • Meng Wang

    (School of Computer Science and Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China)

  • Zhiling Cai

    (School of Computer Science and Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China)

  • Shipeng Zhu

    (School of Computer Science and Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
    MOE Key Laboratory of Computer Network and Information Integration, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China)

Abstract

Excessive use of Personal Listening Devices (PLDs) and prolonged exposure to noise from loud music create many potential risks associated with hearing loss. To this end, the World Health Organization has published Recommendation ITU-T H.870 in 2019, which provides adults and children with a set of recommendations for sound dosage and operating times needed to avoid potential hearing risks. Some studies have investigated noise exposure of related applications for listening safety, resulting in some related recommendations and applications; however, these studies often do not pay attention to measurement error, which is important for human real noise exposure estimation to avoid hearing loss. This paper proposes a method for calculating noise exposure that can accurately calculate the actual noise sound-pressure level (SPL) and PLD dosage based on the WHO-ITU standard. We develop a calculation method and design a listening system that includes (i) a Safe Listening Personal Listening Device (SL-PLD) that can measure the listening dose in real time and control the output volume effectively, (ii) a Safe Listening Application (SL-APP) for assisting the SL-PLD to check the listening status in real time and provide alerts. Our experimental results show that (i) the proposed noise calculation method can reach 0.88 dB deviation under the 76 dB reference SPL and 98.8% accuracy, as compared to the SoundCheck tool measurement, (ii) the proposed SL-PLD controls the SPL output effectively as the dose increases, and (iii) the SL-APP determines the dosage usage and will provide a warning when the dosage exceeds a preset value. Therefore, users can adjust their listening behavior for more secure listening by using our methods and applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Fei Chen & Hui Xue & Meng Wang & Zhiling Cai & Shipeng Zhu, 2023. "Hearing Care: Safe Listening Method and System for Personal Listening Devices," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:3:p:2161-:d:1046329
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sunghwa You & Chanbeom Kwak & Woojae Han, 2020. "Use of Personal Listening Devices and Knowledge/Attitude for Greater Hearing Conservation in College Students: Data Analysis and Regression Model Based on 1009 Respondents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-23, April.
    2. Kamakshi V. Gopal & Sara Champlin & Bryce Phillips, 2019. "Assessment of Safe Listening Intentional Behavior Toward Personal Listening Devices in Young Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-11, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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