The Acclimatization Effects of Earplugs on Acoustic and Perceptual Measures of University Singers' Vocal Performances in Choral and Solo Settings

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to assess with female university singers (N = 34) the potential acclimatization effects of wearing one brand of earplugs marketed to musicians on selected acoustic and perceptual measures of choral and vocal sound. Data were acquired during four data collection sessions across four weeks. Participants were members of two established women's choirs, Group A (n = 24) and Group B (n = 10). Each choir sang the same musical excerpt three times during weekly data collection periods: without-earplugs at rehearsal start, with-earplugs at rehearsal start, and with-earplugs at rehearsal end. For comparison purposes, Group A wore the earplugs at each of three rehearsals per week, while Group B wore the earplugs only during data collection rehearsals. Additionally, one-half of the singers, randomly selected, participated in weekly solo recording sessions that followed a similar protocol. Digital audio recordings of the choral and solo singing performances were used for analyses of long term average spectra (LTAS), intonation, and amplitude. Among primary results: (a) choral and solo LTAS data indicated significant differences in mean signal amplitudes between the no-earplugs and with-earplugs conditions, (b) solo amplitude means indicated a < 1 dB difference between conditions in 90% of the recordings, (c) choral pitch analyses indicated earplugs did not cause choristers to sing less in-tune, (d) fundamental frequency analyses indicated that earplugs did not cause soloists to sing significantly more or less in-tune, and (e) the majority of choral (87.50%) and solo singers (75%) reported being able to hear themselves best when not wearing earplugs during the weekly recording sessions. The results were discussed in terms of possible acclimatization effects, limitations of the study, and suggestions for future research

Impact of Nightly Earplugs on Medical/Surgical Patients’ Perceptions of Noise Level and Quality of Sleep

Purpose: At West Kendall Baptist Hospital, our Medical-Surgical/Telemetry floor (3 South) continues to tackle noise level and patient disruptions during night time. It has been documented that patient satisfaction goes up when the patients’ ability to sleep improved as a direct consequence of lowered noise. The purpose of the study is to assess the impact of nightly earplugs on patients’ perception of quality of sleep and noise level at night on a Medical/Surgical unit. The specific aim of the study is to compare pre and post implementations of nightly earplugs in determining patients’ perception of quality of sleep and noise level in Medical/Surgical unit. The secondary aim of this study is to assess patients’ perception of quality of sleep and noise level at night on a Medical/Surgical unit. Method/s: This is a quasi-experimental pilot study using pre/post questionnaires. Result/Findings: Investigators were able to recruit a total of 50 patients but 4 of these patients dropped from the study with some of them voicing their discomfort with the use of the earplugs. This resulted in an attrition rate of 8% resulted which is acceptable. Table 1 illustrates the sample demographics such as a slight majority of females (54%), average age of 45 years, 74% Hispanic, 67% reported being bilingual speakers of English and Spanish, and 78% had post high school education. Participants rated the noise level, on average, to be low to moderate noise heard during the day (2.94+.978). Table 2 illustrates the unpaired participants’ pre and post sleep quality responses. There was a clear increase in sleep quality post use of earplugs in all questions ranging from 80 to 90% reporting positive sleep quality and restfulness with earplugs compared to without earplugs which ranged from 32-54% with positive perceptions. When participants’ responses were paired, the exact McNemar’test showed that there were statistically significant differences (p Moreover, participants have been highly satisfied with the earplugs use (4.26+.905) as shown in Table 4. In addition, the likelihood of the participants to use the earplugs if admitted again in the hospital (3.89+1.45) and to recommend earplugs use to friends and family (4.20+1.00) have shown a significant positive response. Discussion: Final reports show positive outcome in the use of earplugs at night time. The pre- and post- survey results shows improved quality of sleep overall and decreased noise level with the use of earplugs. This shows that there is a direct relationship between noise level and quality of sleep. Results show the noise level decreased during the night the participants were wearing their earplugs, leading to uninterrupted sleep, which then resulted to increased rate of restful sleep. The results are very remarkable and encouraging. The earplugs use can be a very cost-effective and simple way of improving patient satisfaction score and patient recovery

Visuomotor Adaptation Without Vision?

In 1995, an aftereffect following treadmill running was described, in which people would inadvertently advance when attempting to run in place on solid ground with their eyes closed. Although originally induced from treadmill running, the running-in-place aftereffect is argued here to result from the absence of sensory information specifying advancement during running. In a series of experiments in which visual information was systematically manipulated, aftereffect strength (AE), measured as the proportional increase (post-test/pre-test) in forward drift while attempting to run in place with eyes closed, was found to be inversely related to the amount of geometrically correct optical flow provided during induction. In particular, experiment 1 (n=20) demonstrated that the same aftereffect was not limited to treadmill running, but could also be strongly generated by running behind a golf-cart when the eyes were closed (AE=1.93), but not when the eyes were open (AE=1.16). Conversely, experiment 2 (n=39) showed that simulating an expanding flow field, albeit crudely, during treadmill running was insufficient to eliminate the aftereffect. Reducing ambient auditory information by means of earplugs increased the total distances inadvertently advanced while attempting to run in one place by a factor of two, both before and after adaptation, but did not influence the ratio of change produced by adaptation. It is concluded that the running-in-place aftereffect may result from a recalibration of visuomotor control systems that takes place even in the absence of visual input

The Prevalence and Severity of External Auditory Exostosis in Young to Quadragenarian-Aged Warm-Water Surfers: A Preliminary Study

External auditory exostosis (EAE) has previously only been shown to occur in cold water surfers. We assessed young surfers living and surfing in Queensland, Australia, for EAE in water temp ranges from 20.6 &deg;C (69.1 &deg;F, Winter) to 28.2 &deg;C (82.8 &deg;F, Summer). All participants underwent a bilateral otoscopic examination to assess the presence and severity of EAE. A total of 23 surfers participated with a mean age of 35.4 years (8.3 years) and a mean surfing experience of 20.0 years (9.9 years). Nearly two-thirds of participants (n = 14, 60.9%) had regular otological symptoms, most commonly water trapping (n = 13, 56.5%), pain (n = 8, 34.8%), and hearing loss (n = 6, 26.1%). Only 8.7% (n = 2) of all surfers reported regular use of protective equipment (e.g., earplugs) on a regular basis. The overall prevalence of exostosis was 69.6% (n = 16), and the majority (n = 12, 80.0%) demonstrated bilateral lesions of a mild grade (&lt;33% obstruction of the external auditory canal). This is the first study assessing EAE in young surfers exposed to only warm waters (above 20.6 &deg;C). The prevalence of EAE in this study highlights that EAE is not restricted to cold water conditions, as previously believed. Warm water surfing enthusiasts should be screened on a regular basis by their general medical practitioner and utilize prevention strategies such as earplugs to minimize exposure to EAE development

Tracking Report 2010 Hanesbrands, Bangladesh 720005874GV

This document is part of a digital collection provided by the Martin P. Catherwood Library, ILR School, Cornell University, pertaining to the effects of globalization on the workplace worldwide. Special emphasis is placed on labor rights, working conditions, labor market changes, and union organizing.FLA_2010_Hanes_TR_Bangladesh_720005874GV.pdf: 30 downloads, before Oct. 1, 2020

The Norman Site Excavations Near Wagoner, Oklahoma

The Norman site is seven miles southeast of Wagoner, Wagoner County, Okla., on State Highway 51. It is on the upper terraces on the west side of Grand River just north of the approach to the new bridge. Principal mound is a double unit; the larger mound, clearly visible from the highway, is conical, 27\u27 high and 90\u27 in diameter; the low mound, on the north, is circular, 7\u27 high and 100\u27 in diameter; a low, broad saddle 12\u27 long connects the 2 mounds. An extensive habitation area, Unit IV, extends to the north and northeast of Mound I-2. Unit II was also a double unit; the larger mound was originally conical, 70\u27 in diameter and probably 10\u27 high. It was only 6.5\u27 high when excavated, owing to a large pit previously dug from the apex. The smaller mound, on the north, was circular, 2.5\u27 high and 45\u27 in diameter. The edges of the two mounds overlapped somewhat. Unit III is a low circular mound 7\u27 high and 11 O\u27 in diameter. Unit VI is a low, circular mound 1.5\u27 high and 45\u27 in diameter. Unit II was completely excavated; approximately one third of Unit II, a portion of Mound 1-2 and a portion of the habitation area were also excavated

Hearing Conservation Program For Marching Band Members: A Risk For Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?

Purpose: To examine the risk for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in university marching band members and to provide an overview of a hearing conservation program for a marching band. Method: Sound levels during band rehearsals were recorded and audiometric hearing thresholds and transient otoacoustic emission were measured over a 3-year period. Musician's earplugs and information about hearing loss were provided to the students. The hearing thresholds of other college students were tested as a partial control. Results: There were no significant differences in hearing thresholds between the two groups. During initial testing, more marching band members showed apparent high-frequency notches than control students. Follow-up hearing tests in a subsequent year for the marching band members showed that almost all notches disappeared. Persistent standard threshold shift (STS) across tests was not observed in the band members. Conclusion: Band members showed no evidence of STS or persistent notched audiograms. Because accepted procedures for measuring hearing showed a lack of precision in reliably detecting early NIHL in marching band members, it is recommended that signs of NIHL be sought in repeated measurements compared to baseline audiograms rather than in a single measure (a single notch). A hearing conservation program for this population is still recommended because of lengthy rehearsal times with high sound-level exposure during rehearsals.Communication Sciences and Disorder