Effects of wearing hearing protectors and safety helmets on the perception and sound localization of reverse alarms Abstract The use of reverse alarms is obligatory for most heavy vehicles. Despite this, there are still many accidents caused by vehicles moving in reverse. Previous studies have demonstrated the limits of the effectiveness of conventional alarms (beep… beep) compared to broadband alarms (sh… sh) in alerting workers to the presence of heavy vehicles reversing, especially in terms of correctly localizing the sound source.Given that workers are often obliged to wear hearing protectors and safety helmets in environments where reverse alarms are in use, this study will analyze audibility (detection threshold, reaction threshold and evacuation time) and ability to localize the two main types of reverse alarm.The results will help enhance workplace awareness of the importance of understanding the impact of wearing hearing protection and to consider alternatives in environments where reverse alarms are frequently used. These could include changing traffic routes when vehicles are backing up in close vicinity to workers. Produced Under this Project Scientific Reports Impact of Hearing Protection and Hardhats on Auditory Detection and Localization of Vehicle Reverse Alarms Research Report: R-1067 Simplified Articles Alarmes de reculLa large bande se démarque à nouveau Volume 33, n0 1 Scientific Publications Effect of personal safety equipment (hearing protection and helmet) on the localization of reverse alarmsLaroche C., Vaillancourt V., Giguère C., Bibeau M., Carroll V., Gula E., Nassrallah F., Hugues Nélisse, Boutin J. Source : Proceeding of 12th International Commission on Biological Effects of Noise (ICBEN), Zurich, Switzerland, 2017 (p. 1-8).Effect of personal safety equipment (hearing protection and helmet) on the localization of reverse alarmsLaroche C., Vaillancourt V., Giguère C., Bibeau M., Carroll V., Gula E., Nassrallah F., Hugues Nélisse, Boutin J. Source : Communication présentée à la12th International Congress on Noise as a Public Health Problem (ICBEN), Zurich, Suisse, 2017 (p. 1-8). Tiré de http://www.icben.org/2017/ICBEN%202017%20Papers/SubjectArea02_Laroche_0205_3975.pdfDetection and reaction thresholds for reverse alarms in noise with and without passive hearing protectionLaroche C., Giguère C., Vaillancourt V., Roy K., Pageot L.-P., Hugues Nélisse, Ellaham N., Nassrallah F.Source : (2018). International Journal of Audiology, 57(S1), S51-S60. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2017.1400188Detection and reaction thresholds for reverse alarms with passive and level-dependent hearing protectorsVaillancourt V., Laroche C., Giguère C., Hugues NélisseSource : (2019). Proceedings of the 26th International Conference on Sound & Vibration, Auburn, AL : International Institute of Acoustics & Vibration.The acoustics and psychoacoustics of reverse alarms mounted on mobile equipmentGiguère C., Laroche C., Hugues Nélisse, Vaillancourt V., Boutin J. Source : (2019). Proceedings of Noise Control 2019, Janów Podlaski, Pologne : Central Institute for Labour Protection.Reverse alarms on vehicles: Which one is better?Giguère C., Laroche C., Vaillancourt V., Hugues NélisseSource : (2020). Canadian Audiologist, 7(5). Tiré de https://canadianaudiologist.ca/issue/volume-7-issue-5-2020/u-of-o-feature-6/Effect of hearing and head protection on the localization of tonal and broadband reverse alarmsLaroche C., Giguère C., Vaillancourt V., Marleau C., Cadieux M.-F., Laprise-Girard K., Gula E., Carroll V., Bibeau M., Hugues NélisseSource : (2021). Human Factors. doi: 10.1177/0018720821992223 Other Project(s) You May be Interested in Identification of backup alarms’ optimum acoustical properties. Phase 3: Field-testing and validationDetermination of the optimal acoustic characteristics of back-up alarms - Phase I: Inventory of heavy vehicles, regulations and standards for back-up alarms; Phase II: Field measurements and development of a sound propagation modelCompendium of knowledge on personnel detection devices during vehicle backup maneuvers on construction sitesEvaluation of broadband backup alarmsAcoustic performance evaluation of back-up alarms in open work environments to achieve optimal use of such alarms Effect of Hearing Loss and Wearing Hearing Protectors on the Auditory Perception and Localization of Backup Alarms Additional Information Type: Project Number: 2016-0009 Status: Completed Year of completion: 2019 Research Field: Mechanical and Physical Risk Prevention Team: Chantal Laroche (Université d'Ottawa)Christian Giguère (Université d'Ottawa)Hugues Nélisse (IRSST)