Page 62 - ITU KALEIDOSCOPE, ATLANTA 2019

2019 ITU Kaleidoscope Academic Conference

• app could be helpful to assess and potentially mitigate
risk;
• willing to make incremental lifestyle changes after
NIHL awareness using hearWHO App .

CIVILIAN, adult, not aware of personal impairment:

• some awareness of NIHL;
• sound measurement accuracy and use of reliable
standards important;
• app should provide continuum of assessment, alerts and
meaningful recommendations throughout the day that
can be readily incorporated into daily activities; Figure 2 – Hearing Health app functionalities
• privacy and security concerns need to be addressed.
TRACK - Real-time volume level and cumulative sound
CIVILIAN, adult, with hearing loss, tinnitus: pressure exposure: Real-time volume level is measured in
dBAs, capturing the sound exposure the user is experiencing.
• strong concern about NIHL; This lets the user see the sound level of their current
• reluctance to take action due to stigma; surroundings, meanwhile allowing the app to sample this
exposure and make recommendations based on the sample.
• concerned about hearing aid amplification being used;
could damage hearing further;
• want personalized and relatable feedback to integrate Cumulative sound pressure exposure monitors the user’s
daily and weekly noise dosage based on adjustable user
into daily life and potentially decrease further loss; preferences. The user can leave the microphone on for
• receptive to using phone to measure sound exposure. continuous sampling throughout the day or turn the
microphone on during different parts of their day where
MILITARY, young adult, not aware of personal impairment: exposures are anticipated to be high, for example sampling
their commute route or gym routine.
• understand high risk of NIHL due to instructions from
senior personnel; ALERT - Risk of NIHL: Risk alerts are in place for
• do not consistently use hearing protection devices as potentially unsafe exposure, calculated based on the US and
these prevent hearing normal conversation and impact UN standards as described previously, with a timer for the
completion of duties; remaining amount of time left that is recommended for the
• only wear hearing protection devices when operating user to continue listening at that exposure level. Additional
machinery; often still exposed to loud sounds, such as notification options (e.g. set at fixed time intervals) are
artillery; available based on user preference.
• app could help to assess risk during off-duty hours or
post-discharge; potentially help in preserving residual REPORT - Personalized to user activities: Daily and weekly
hearing. exposure reports are based on calculations aligned with US
and UN standards. Recommendations are made based on the
In summary, there was varying awareness of NIHL and its app’s analysis of the user’s listening behaviors. These
consequences; however, it was encouraging that there was notifications would advise the user based on their sound
interest in personal hearing health and support for a tool that exposure such as to lower phone volume, listen to music of
could be integrated into daily life. a different genre, use hearing protection based on their
environment, shorten exposure duration by suggesting
3.3 App functionalities to implement safe listening breaks and alternative sound exposure options (guided by
standards and personalization daily activities) if there are continuous exposures above safe
listening.
The Hearing Health app functionalities (Figure 2) were
designed based on user feedback and the WHO-ITU toolkit EDUCATE - NIHL awareness and preventative measures:
[17] as presented in Figure 2. As the purpose of the app is to help users practice hearing
wellness, relevant education and information on NIHL from
medical, federal, military and regulatory sources will be
provided. This material would cover the causes of hearing
loss, who is at risk, and current standards that regulate noise
exposure. Concerned users can learn more about various
hearing healthcare topics relevant to their lifestyle, easily
accessible options to check their hearing (e.g. hearWHO

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