Evaluation of an Auditory Localization Training System for Use in Portable Configurations: Variables, Metrics, and Protocol

Cave, Kara Meghan

Evaluation of an Auditory Localization Training System for Use in Portable Configurations: Variables, Metrics, and Protocol

dc.contributor.author	Cave, Kara Meghan	en
dc.contributor.committeechair	Casali, John G.	en
dc.contributor.committeemember	Gabbard, Joseph L.	en
dc.contributor.committeemember	Kleiner, Brian M.	en
dc.contributor.committeemember	Lee, Kichol	en
dc.contributor.committeemember	Casto, Kristen Lee	en
dc.contributor.department	Industrial and Systems Engineering	en
dc.date.accessioned	2020-01-23T09:02:29Z	en
dc.date.available	2020-01-23T09:02:29Z	en
dc.date.issued	2020-01-22	en
dc.description.abstract	Hearing protection can mitigate the harmful effects of noise, but for Service Members these devices can also obscure auditory situation awareness cues. Tactical Communication and Protective Systems (TCAPS) can restore critical cues through electronic circuitry with varying effects on localization. Evidenced by past research, sound localization accuracy can improve with training. The investigator hypothesized that training with a broadband stimulus and reducing the number of presentations would result in training transfer. Additionally, training transfer would occur with implementation of more user-engaged training strategies. The purpose of the experiments described in this study was to develop an optimized auditory azimuth-training protocol for use in a field-validated portable training system sensitive to differences among different TCAPS. A series of indoor experiments aimed to shorten and optimize a pre-existing auditory localization training protocol. Sixty-four normal-hearing participants underwent localization training. The goal of training optimization included the following objectives: 1) evaluate the effects of reducing stimulus presentations; 2) evaluate the effects of training with a broadband stimulus (but testing on untrained military-relevant stimuli); and 3) evaluate performance differences according to training strategies. Twenty-four (12 trained and 12 untrained) normal-hearing listeners participated in the field-validation experiment. The experiment evaluated localization training transfer from the indoor portable system to live-fire blanks in field. While training conducted on the portable system was predicted to transfer to the field, differences emerged between an in-the-ear and over-the-ear TCAPS. Three of four untrained stimuli showed evidence of training transfer. Shortening the training protocol also resulted in training transfer, but manipulating training strategies did not. A comparison of changes in localization scores from the indoor pretest to the field posttest demonstrated significant differences among listening conditions. Training improved accuracy and response time for the open ear and one of two TCAPS. Posttest differences between the two TCAPS were not statistically significant. Despite training, localization with TCAPS never matched the open ear. The portable apparatus employed in this study offers a means to evaluate the effects of TCAPS on localization. Equipped with a known effect on localization, TCAPS users can render informed decisions on the benefits or risk associated with certain devices.	en
dc.description.abstractgeneral	Hearing protection can mitigate the harmful effects of noise, but for Service Members these devices can obscure auditory situation awareness cues. Certain powered hearing protection can restore critical cues through electronic circuitry with varying effects on localization. Evidenced by past research, sound localization accuracy can improve with training. The investigator hypothesized that training with a broadband stimulus and reducing the number of presentations would result in auditory learning. Additionally, implementing more user-engaged training strategies would demonstrate more auditory learning. The purpose of the experiments described in this study was to develop an optimized auditory azimuth-training protocol for use in a field-validated training system sensitive to differences among active hearing protection. A series of indoor experiments aimed to shorten and optimize a pre-existing auditory localization training protocol. Sixty-four normal-hearing participants underwent localization training. The goal of training optimization included the following objectives: 1) evaluate the effects of reducing stimulus presentations; 2) evaluate the effects of training with a broadband stimulus (but testing on untrained military-relevant stimuli); and 3) evaluate performance differences in localization performance according to training strategies. In the field-validation study, 12 trained and 12 untrained normal-hearing listeners participated. The experiment evaluated localization learning from the indoor portable training system to live-fire blanks in a field. Training conducted on the portable system was predicted to transfer to the field, but differences would emerge between an in-the-ear and an over-the-ear TCAPS. Three of four untrained stimuli showed evidence of localization learning. Shortening the protocol also resulted in localization learning, but manipulating training strategies did not. A comparison of changes in localization scores from the indoor pretest to the field posttest demonstrated significant differences among listening conditions. Training improved performance for the open ear and one of two active hearing protectors. Posttest differences between the two devices were not significant. Despite training, performance with hearing protection never equaled the open ear. The portable apparatus employed in this study offers a means to evaluate the effects of hearing protection on localization. Knowing the effects of hearing protection on localization apprises users of the benefits and/or risk associated with the use of certain devices.	en
dc.description.degree	Doctor of Philosophy	en
dc.format.medium	ETD	en
dc.identifier.other	vt_gsexam:23515	en
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10919/96556	en
dc.publisher	Virginia Tech	en
dc.rights	In Copyright	en
dc.rights.uri	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/	en
dc.subject	Auditory Localization	en
dc.subject	Auditory Situation Awareness	en
dc.subject	Auditory Training	en
dc.subject	Hearing Protection	en
dc.subject	Noise Exposure	en
dc.title	Evaluation of an Auditory Localization Training System for Use in Portable Configurations: Variables, Metrics, and Protocol	en
dc.type	Dissertation	en
thesis.degree.discipline	Industrial and Systems Engineering	en
thesis.degree.grantor	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University	en
thesis.degree.level	doctoral	en
thesis.degree.name	Doctor of Philosophy	en