Does one size fit all? Translating laboratory-based insights into tools that enable action

Santino Cozza and Kiersten Reeser
Senior Scientist and Junior Engineer 
Applied Research  Associates Inc.

Wed, October 2, 2024 - 4:00 PM
Streaming on Zoom
In Hannan 108 (Auditorium)

During this talk, we’ll discuss our research in auditory health, our lessons learned along the way, and how we’ve been able to translate our insights into meaningful tools that enable action supported by scientific theory.

Hearing protection devices (HPDs) are crucial for safeguarding against hazardous noise exposure and preventing noise-induced hearing loss. Starting in 1977, hearing protection selection has relied on the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) as derived from human subject testing. However, human subject testing is time consuming and expensive.
We have developed electromechanical tests and associated algorithms to evaluate HPDs’ hearing protection benefits and potential performance drawbacks. These tests are validated against human subject data and provide insights into how HPD selection varies with intended use-case.

To facilitate the application of this knowledge, we are developing a software tool that integrates these comprehensive assessments to aid users in choosing the most suitable HPDs for their specific needs. This marks a significant advancement in hearing conservation efforts by eliminating the guesswork in the HPD selection process, allowing users to make informed choices based on objective measures that best align with their protection goals.

If you have any questions about the Colloquium Series, would like to request disability accommodations  or would like to make a donation please contact the Physics Department, cua-physics@cua.edu or  call (202) 319-5315.