Measuring the effect of signal-to-noise ratio on listening fatigue
Year: 2010
Type: report
Abstract: Nowadays, by using modern means of communication, people tend to talk longer with each other. This may result in listening fatigue, which hampers cognitive performance. Twenty-four subjects listened to English texts, and answered questions about the text, in two sessions.There was background babble noise added at a signal-to-noise (SNR)ratio of either 0 dB (one session) or 10 dB (the other session). Each session lasted approximately one hour, and every 10 minutes, the listener had to rate his fatigue and effort level on a Borg CR-10 scale. Results show significantly lower fatigue levels at 10 dB than at0 dB, after 20 minutes of listening. For 10-dB SNR, listening effort was significantly lower. In addition, the percentage of correctlyanswered questions was significantly higher at higher signal-to-noise ratio. It is therefore concluded that less noise has a clear positive effect on listening fatigue.
Language: English
Topic: Noise Effects and Management
Subfield: Acoustics and Ultrasonics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2132741126