2022 NHCA Annual Virtual Conference

Research has shown that listeners had a better understanding of speech when it is presented in front of them at their standing or sitting position (0o azimuth). Therefore, it is necessary to study noise source locations. This study investigated four-noise source locations on listener ANL. The noise source azimuths considered in this study are 45o, 180o, 225o, and 315o to the sitting position of the listener, while the signal is presented at 0o azimuth. Twenty-three subjects (female=12, male =11) participated in the study. Participants' age ranged from 18 to 43 years (M=24 years, SD=6.7); and all participants had normal hearing. A multi-talker noise stimulus was used in the study. The noise source at 180o azimuth had the smallest ANL average compared with the other azimuths. Meaning that listeners accepted more noise without being tensed, at 180o azimuth location to the signal source presented. At 315o azimuth, the noise effect was greater on the listener’s ability to be focused. However, the differences in the average ANLs were not statistically significant. Findings from this study are applicable in the construction sites or factory where different machine produces different noise at different locations to the worker working position.