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Air traffic controllers' long-term speech-in-noise training effects: A control group study
Maria T P Zaballos1, Daniel P Plasencia2, María L Z González3
1Laboratorio de Psicoacústica, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno Infantil, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain.
Noise & Health
|December 20, 2016
Summary
Air traffic controllers show improved speech-in-noise understanding due to auditory training. This enhanced ability in challenging environments suggests long-term listening practice benefits, though cognitive skills are also key.
Area of Science:
- Auditory neuroscience
- Human auditory perception
- Occupational audiology
Background:
- Speech perception in noise relies on auditory and cognitive processing.
- Auditory training in adulthood is crucial for auditory disorders.
- Air traffic controllers (ATCs) experience constant radio communication, potentially leading to auditory learning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the auditory learning effect in air traffic controllers.
- To investigate if long-term occupational noise exposure enhances speech-in-noise perception.
Main Methods:
- 19 air traffic controllers and 19 normal-hearing individuals participated.
- Speech-in-noise tests were conducted at three signal-to-noise ratios (5, 0, -5 dB).
- Speech and noise were presented via loudspeakers in an anechoic environment.
Main Results:
- Air traffic controllers significantly outperformed the control group across all tested conditions (P<0.05).
- Performance differences were most pronounced at the most challenging SNR of -5 dB.
- No correlation was found between years of experience and speech-in-noise performance.
Conclusions:
- Air traffic controllers exhibit superior speech-in-noise understanding, particularly in adverse conditions.
- This study provides evidence for the effectiveness of long-term auditory training in occupational settings.
- Intrinsic cognitive abilities are likely a prerequisite for successful auditory training outcomes.
