Procédures permettant aux personnes malentendantes de percevoir les avertisseurs sonores en milieu industriel

Abstract

The inability of hearing impaired individuals to perceive acoustic warning signals has been used to refuse them jobs in industry. The Groupe d'acoustique de l'universite de Montreal has undertaken a research program to find means to raise this barrier to the integration of people with hearing impairments. A clinical method was devised to assess individual capabilities of signal detection in noise. Using a computer model of auditory detection developed in our laboratory, it is now possible to specify the signal features that can make them perceivable by individuals with hearing impairments. A project has also been undertaken to determine adequate conditions of use of hearing aids in industry. Our results showed that it is possible Lo take advantage of the earmold to act as a hearing protector, and of the amplifier to adjust signals, sent by FM transmitters, to levels that are easily perceivable. According to these findings, the risk of accidents associated with a reduced capacity to perceive sound warning signals should not constitue a barrier anymore for the integration of people with hearing impairments in industrial workplaces.