Abstract

Every year serious accidents occur in noisy workplaces as a result of a failure to detect acoustic alarms designed to prevent accidents. No practical and simple tools are available with which to evaluate the effectiveness of these acoustic alarms. The Groupe d'acoustique de l'Université de Montréal (GAUM, University of Montréal Acoustics Group) has developed the Detectsound, a modelling package for IBM-compatible personal computers which predicts the ability of workers with noise- or age-related hearing loss to detect alarms.

GAUM researchers will validate this package in collaboration with representatives of the working community, using subjects drawn from various industrial sectors, and will render it more user-friendly.

A computerized protocol for the evaluation of acoustic alarms by health and safety specialists will be proposed. The final software package will also facilitate the design of safer acoustic alarms.