• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.201-208
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate hypoacusis due to workplace noise among dental technicians. Pure tone audiometry, impedance audiometry and heart rate variability were measured for 60 dental technicians and office workers in D city from July to November 2013, and a survey on the effects of noise was conducted. SPSS 19.0 was used for statistical analysis. In the result for threshold of pure tone audiometry, the average hearing threshold of left ears in the air conduction (AC) test showed a statistically significant decrease (P=0.019) among dental technicians, who are frequently exposed to workplace noise. The hearing threshold in the AC test for each frequency was significantly different between the two groups at 125 Hz (P=0.012) in right ears and at 1 kHz (P=0.022), 2 kHz (P=0.040), and 8 kHz (P=0.018) in left ears. Dental technicians who had worked for 16 years or longer had a significantly higher incidence of hypoacusis in the right ear (P=0.030) and in the left ear (P=0.010). In impedance audiometry showed a tympanometry result of type A in both the dental technician group and the office worker group.

• 음성과학
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.167-179
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• 1999

The hearing mechanism is a complicated system. Sound is generated by a source that sends out air pressure or power. The pressure or power makes the sound waves. These waves reach the eardrum, or tympanic membrane, which vibrates at a rate and magnitude proportional to the nature of the sound waves. The tympanic membrane transforms this vibration into the mechanical energy in the middle ear, which in turn converts it to the hydraulic energy in the fluid of the inner ear. The hydraulic energy stimulates the sensory cells of the inner ear which send neuroelectrical impulses to the central auditory nervous system. The passive perception of auditory information starts just here. The listener gives attention to the speech sound, differentiates the sound from background noise, and integrates his experience with similar sounds. The listener then puts all of these aspects of audition into the context of the moment to identify the nature of sound. This has a major role in human communication. This paper provides an overview of the nature and characteristics of sound, the structure and function of the auditory system, and the way in which sound is processed by the auditory system.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.173-181
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• 2011

Koo-ni Firing Range in Maehyang-ri consisted of a firing range around 'Nong-sum' and a land-based firing range in the nearby coastal area. From 1951, when the US Air Force began field firing, residents of Maehyang-ri suffered damage to health, environment, life and property due to 54 years of field firing and noise. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the environmental damage, property loss, and health impairment by reviewing literature and related lawsuits. Environmental damage, the destruction of coastal fisheries and wetlands, would be a result of heavy metal contamination of soil. Fishing restrictions and the confiscation of farmlands caused financial hardship. Errant bombings led to the loss of life and property, including buildings and livestock. As a result, residents repeatedly sued the Republic of Korea for damages. The court decided partially in favor of the plaintiffs. Finally, Koo-ni firing range was closed down in 2005. Through the literature review, it is presumed that the noise caused hearing problems, hypertension, and mental illness. Since earlier studies were confined to a small fragment of the damage, additional studies focused on chronic health hazards are needed.

• 대한기관식도과학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한기관식도과학회 1981년도 제15차 학술대회연제순서 및 초록
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• pp.37.1-37
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• 1981

30여년간의 역사를 가진 청력개선술이 우리나라에서 널리 시행되고 있으나 현재까지 중이성형술에 사용되는 재료나 수술방법의 선택에 대하여는 많은 의견차를 보이고 있으며 수술후 수술 성적 평가기준에도 상당한 의견차를 보이고 있다. 이에 본 저자들은 중이수술의 목적의 하나인 청력개선을 평가하기 위해 1980.1~1980 12 까지만 1년간 본 교실에서 시행한 청력개선술후의 청력상을 수술방법, 술자, 고막이식재료 및 이소골성형재료에 따라 그 결과를 비교검토하여 다음과 같은 성적을 얻었기에 보고하는 바이다. 1) 전 중이수술례는 306례였고 이중 청력개선을 고려했던 예는 181례로서 이를 수술별로 구분해 보면 Tympanoplasty type I은 107례 (59.1%), Columellization without Mastoidectomy는 35례 (19.3%), Columellization with Mastoidectomy는 39례(21.6%)였다. 2) 술후 청력검사 추시율은 Tympanoplasty type I이 41.1%, Columellization without Mastoiectomy가 45.7%, Columellization with Mastoidectomy가 64.1%였다. 3) 청력개선을 고려했던 181례중 Staff이 수술한 경우는 121례, Resident가 수술한 경우는 66례 였으며, 수술별로 보면 Tympanoplasty type I는 Staff이 60례, Resident가 47례, Columellization without Mastoidectomy는 Staffol 3l례, Resident가 4례, Columellization with Mastoidectomy는 Staff이 30례, Resident가 9례였다. 4) 술후청력검사가 추시된 예에서 술후 기골도 청력차가 20dB 이내인 경우는 Tympanoplasty type I이 89%, Columellization without Mastoidectomy는 50%, Columellization with Mastoidectomy 32%였다. 5) 술후 기골도 청력차가 20dB이내인 경우를 술자에 따라 비교해 보면 Staff 67%, Resident 59%였다. 6) 술후 기골도 청력차가 20dB이내인 경우를 고막이식재료 별로비교하면 연골 69%, 근막 63%였다. 7) 이소골 성형술을 실시했던 예중 술후 기골도청력차가 20dB 이내인 경우를 이소골 성형재료별로 비교해본 결과 연골 38%, 이소골 동종이식 36%, 이소골 자가이식은 43%였고, 수술시 이소골 상태에 따라 비교해본 결과 $M_{+}$ $S_{+}$가 61%, $M_{+}$ $S_{-}$는 33%, $M_{-}$$S_{+}$는 17%, $M_{-}$$S_{-}$는 22%였다.

• 전기학회논문지
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• 제58권4호
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• pp.857-866
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• 2009

In this paper, a noise cancellation-method using microphone array for digital hearing aids is proposed. The microphone array is located around the ear of a dummy. Speech sound is generated from the forward speaker positioned in the front of the dummy and noise sound is generated from the backward speaker. The speech and noise are mixed in the air space and entered into the microphones. VAD(voice activity detector) and ANC(adaptive noise cancellation) methods were used to eliminate noise in the sound of the microphones. 10 two-syllable words and 4 sentences were used for speech signals. Babble and car interior noise were used for noise signals. The performance of the proposed algorithm was evaluated by SNR(signal-to-noise ratio) and PESQ-MOS(perceptual evaluation of speech quality-mean opinion score). In babble noise condition, SNR was improved as much as $7.963{\pm}1.3620dB\;and\;3.968{\pm}0.6659dB$ for words and sentences respectively. In the case of car interior noise, SNR was improved as $10.512{\pm}2.0665dB\;and\;6.000{\pm}1.7642dB$ for words and sentences respectively. PESQ-MOS of the babble noise was improved as much as $0.1722{\pm}0.0861$ score for words and $0.083{\pm}0.0417$ score for sentences. And PESQ-MOS of the car interior noise was improved as $0.2661{\pm}0.0335$ score and $0.040{\pm}0.0201$ score for words and sentences respectively. It is verified that the proposed algorithm has a good performance in noise cancellation of microphone array for digital hearing aids.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제2권4호
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• pp.336-347
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• 2011

Objectives: In Korea, an average of 258 workers claim compensation for their noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) on an annual basis. Indeed, hearing disorder ranks first in the number of diagnoses made by occupational medical check-ups. Against this backdrop, this study analyzed the impact of 19 types of noise-generating machines and equipment on the sound pressure levels in workplaces and NIHL occurrence based on a 2009 national survey on work environments. Methods: Through this analysis, a series of statistical models were built to determine posterior probabilities for each worksite with an aim to present risk ratings for noise levels at work. Results: It was found that air compressors and grinding machines came in first and second, respectively in the number of installed noise-generating machines and equipment. However, there was no direct relationship between workplace noise and NIHL among workers since noise-control equipment and protective gear had been in place. By building a logistic regression model and neural network, statistical models were set to identify the influence of the noise-generating machines and equipment on workplace noise levels and NIHL occurrence. Conclusion: This study offered NIHL prevention measures which are fit for the worksites in each risk grade.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.277-281
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• 2005

Air-line mask is an important personal protective equipment for workers working under hazardous surroundings in which a fixed ventilation system is difficult to be installed. If the air-line mask make loud noise, works wearing the mask may be faced with health problems such as noise induced hearing loss(NIHL). The purpose of this study is to introduce a low noisy technology for workers using air-line mask. A traditional type air-line has been improved to an advanced air-line mask with lesser noise. In the mask, air suppling conduits consists of multi tubes are placed inside of the front of the safety helmet. The noise level reduced from 80dB(A) to less than 80dB(A) when measured by KS A 0701 method at Center for Safety Inspection, Testing and Certification for KOSHA. It is suitable for related regulation[Article 35 of the Industrial Safety and Health Act(Test of Personal Protective Equipment)]. While workers working in noise level of over 90dB(A), they may expose to 82dB(A) or less when they wear the advanced masks. This type masks can be an alternative for works suffering from loud noise generated by traditional air-line masks.

• 한국안전학회지
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.12-16
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• 2006

This paper deals with the noise evaluation and noise reduction of a reciprocating air-compressor. The reciprocating air-compressor is widely used in the small and medium sized industrial firms, many employees exposed and irritated by their noise in the workplace. Thus, appropriate noise control actions should be taken to prevent hearing loss due to the its noise exposure. Lead-wrapping techniques are employed to identify the contribution of principal noise sources which are generally known to be motor, belts, suction valves, discharge valves, moving parts, and flow-induced noise caused by edges or discontinuities along the flow path including expansions, contractions, junctions and bends. As a result, the main noise sources of the air-compressor are categorized by the suction and discharge noise, valve noise, and compressed air tank noise. Based on the investigations, mufflers are designed to reduce both the suction and discharge noise and the compressed-air tank noise. Instead of the conventional valve plate, polyethylene resin is used the reduction of valve impact noise. In addition, attempts are made to reduce the valve noise propagation to the cylinder head and the compressor tank by using the insulation casings. As a result of the countermeasure plans, a noise reduction up to 10dB(A) could be achieved for the air-compressor.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.61-67
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• 1997

비디오테이프 제조공장에서 혼합유기용제의 폭로가 청력에 미치는 영향을 보기 위해 톨루엔, 메틸에틸케톤, 메틸이소부틸케톤에 폭로된 근로자 51명과 대조군 57명 총 108명을 대상으로 순음청력기계를 이용하여 기도 및 골도청력검사를 실시하였다. 양군의 평균연령은 폭로군 34.1세 비폭로군 35.8세 였으며 폭로군의 평균 폭로기간은 7.3년이었다. 두 군의 고음청력 손실자율은 폭로군 23.5%, 비폭로군 17.5%로 고음청력분류기준에 따른 청력손실유무와 폭로유무에 대한 통계적으로 유의한 차이는 없었다. 주파수별 청력의 비교에서 기도청력검사상 오른쪽은 8000Hz를 제외하고 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000Hz에서 통계적으로 유의하게 나왔고, 왼쪽은 250, 500, 1000Hz에서 통계적으로 유의 한 차이가 있었다. 골도청력검사상 오른쪽 250Hz을 제외하고 왼쪽 250, 양쪽 500, 1000, 2000, 4000Hz에서 통계적으로 유의하게 나왔다. 전체적으로 볼 때 기도 및 골도청력 모두에서 비폭로군에 비해 폭로군에서 평균청력역치가 더 높게 나타났다.

• 한국전기전자재료학회논문지
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• 제17권9호
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• pp.936-941
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• 2004

In recent years, the rapid growth of portable electronic devices requires the high-energy density characteristics of batteries. Zinc air batteries have specific capacity as high as 820mAh/g. However, Zinc air batteries used for hearing aid applications only so far, because the atmosphere could affect it, and it has weakness in the rate capability. However, recent developments of electrode manufacturing technologies made us to overcome that weakness. And the efforts of applying zinc air batteries to portable electronic devices, especially in cellular phone application have been increased. In this paper, the effects of conducting material and polymer binder in cathode on the electrochemical characteristics were investigated. Our research team succeeded in producing 2.4Ah class zinc air battery for cellular phone application. Its volumetric energy density was 920 wh/l, and gravimetric energy density was 308 wh/kg. The volumetric energy density of our zinc air battery is two times higher than one of lithium secondary battery, and three times higher than that of alkaline manganese battery.