Reducing Risk of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Collegiate Music Ensembles Using Ambient Technology

Abstract

Student musicians are at risk for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) as they develop skills and perform during instructional activities. Studies using longitudinal dosimeter data show that pedagogical procedures and instructor behaviors are highly predictive of NIHL risk, thus implying the need for innovative approaches to increase instructor competency in managing instructional activities without interfering with artistic and academic freedom. Ambient information systems, an emerging trend in human-computer interaction that infuses psychological behavioral theories into technologies, can help construct informative risk-regulating systems. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of introducing an ambient information system into the ensemble setting. The system used two ambient displays and a counterbalanced within-subjects treatment study design with six jazz ensemble instructors to determine if the system could induce a behavior change that alters trends in measures resulting from dosimeter data. This study assessed efficacy using time series analysis to determine changes in eight statistical measures of behavior over a 9-wk period. Analysis showed that the system was effective, as all instructors showed changes in a combination of measures. This study is in an important step in developing non-interfering technology to reduce NIHL among academic musicians.

Analysis of Music Teaching in Basic Education Integrating Scientific Computing Visualization and Computer Music Technology

“…Although the velocity field of the associated voxel, grid can be obtained according to the change of the scalar field, and their position cannot be changed. As an alternative, through the velocity function defined in the following level set method [12], use H to represent the velocity function of the curved surface scalar field, and use the velocity field v obtained above to update the curved surface scalar field:…”

Identifying barriers and facilitators of hearing protection use in early-career musicians: a basis for designing interventions to promote uptake and sustained use

“…These two strategies aim to address a lack of concern due to a lack of awareness of potentially damaging noise levels. Powell and Chesky (2017) trialled a similar strategy in jazz ensembles using an ambient information system to provide real-time visualisation of dosimeter data. In their study, music instructors were the intended end-users of these visual cues so that they could adjust their teaching methods to manage noise exposure.…”