2019 NHCA Annual Conference

Hearing protection device selection criteria is generally relegated to TWA and the attenuation required to reduce the exposure to beneath the mandated level.  The noise exposure is typically generalized to a continuous exposure as opposed to a dynamic exposure constructed of intermittent and fluctuating noise. Audibility and communication are often an afterthought and workers are left to navigate the auditory hurdles through the workday, sometimes choosing to risk hearing damage to in an attempt to hear and communicate. Modern electronic hearing protectors may offer several advantages to workers who have communication and situational awareness requirements not met by passive protectors. This workshop will combine classroom lecture with hands on experience of utilizing a variety of electronic protectors in dynamic acoustical environments.

The HearTomorrow‚ Audio of Hearing Workshop‚ will explore hearing physiology, disorders and conservation in the context of audio systems theory.   Attendees will gain not only a new perspective on the hearing mechanism, but also an understanding of audio systems. The ear IS and audio system and we use modern audio technology in the development of hearing assist and conservation products. The language and mindset of each informs the other.  The workshop will cover the following topics pertinent to these areas: microphones & loudspeakers, analog and digital signals, conversion and circuits, and signal processing in the spectral and dynamic domains.  Wherever possible, audio principles will be explained using the language and theories of hearing physiology, psychoacoustics and cognition.  

For over 30 years, hearing conservation professionals have known that the Noise Reduction Rating is not necessarily representative of the protection afforded to the average user of hearing protection.

This workshop will present an overview of the technologies available to the hearing conservation professional.  During the first part of the session, attendees will learn about different methods to implement fit-testing, benefits of conducting fit testing the different methods used by various commercially available fit-testing systems.  Information related to the recently approved ANSI/ASA standard for hearing protector fit-test systems will be shared. During the second part of the session, attendees will experience hands-on demonstrations of the various products.

Hearing protection device selection criteria is generally relegated to TWA and the attenuation required to reduce the exposure to beneath the mandated level.  The noise exposure is typically generalized to a continuous exposure as opposed to a dynamic exposure constructed of intermittent and fluctuating noise. Audibility and communication are often an afterthought and workers are left to navigate the auditory hurdles through the workday, sometimes choosing to risk hearing damage to in an attempt to hear and communicate. Modern electronic hearing protectors may offer several advantages to workers who have communication and situational awareness requirements not met by passive protectors. This workshop will combine classroom lecture with hands on experience of utilizing a variety of electronic protectors in dynamic acoustical environments.

The HearTomorrow‚ Audio of Hearing Workshop‚ will explore hearing physiology, disorders and conservation in the context of audio systems theory.   Attendees will gain not only a new perspective on the hearing mechanism, but also an understanding of audio systems. The ear IS and audio system and we use modern audio technology in the development of hearing assist and conservation products. The language and mindset of each informs the other.  The workshop will cover the following topics pertinent to these areas: microphones & loudspeakers, analog and digital signals, conversion and circuits, and signal processing in the spectral and dynamic domains.  Wherever possible, audio principles will be explained using the language and theories of hearing physiology, psychoacoustics and cognition.  

For over 30 years, hearing conservation professionals have known that the Noise Reduction Rating is not necessarily representative of the protection afforded to the average user of hearing protection.

This workshop will present an overview of the technologies available to the hearing conservation professional.  During the first part of the session, attendees will learn about different methods to implement fit-testing, benefits of conducting fit testing the different methods used by various commercially available fit-testing systems.  Information related to the recently approved ANSI/ASA standard for hearing protector fit-test systems will be shared. During the second part of the session, attendees will experience hands-on demonstrations of the various products.