The impact of reduced speech intelligibility on reaction time in a naval combat environment

Benjamin Sheffield, John Ziriax, M. David Keller, William Barns, Douglas Brungart

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Despite attempts to limit noise exposure, noise-induced hearing loss remains prevalent in the military. Both hearing loss and the noise itself can lead to communication issues which could negatively impact operational performance. This study builds upon a series of experiments examining the relationship between reduced speech intelligibility and performance in a naval command and control environment by equipping Navy watch standers with hearing loss simulators that control speech intelligibility in real time as they were engaged in a simulated operational scenario. This effort focused on the effects that a Sailor with impaired hearing might have on unimpaired shipmates and how the mission might specifically be impacted. Results showed that as speech intelligibility decreased for the impaired watch stander perceived workload increased in an unimpaired shipmate and the latency of the crew to respond to incoming missile threats and a direct order to kill an enemy ship increased significantly.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 2017 International Annual Meeting, HFES 2017
PublisherHuman Factors an Ergonomics Society Inc.
Pages1570-1574
Number of pages5
ISBN (Electronic)9780945289531
DOIs
StatePublished - 2017
Externally publishedYes
EventHuman Factors and Ergonomics Society 2017 International Annual Meeting, HFES 2017 - Austin, United States
Duration: 9 Oct 201713 Oct 2017

Publication series

NameProceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
Volume2017-October
ISSN (Print)1071-1813

Conference

ConferenceHuman Factors and Ergonomics Society 2017 International Annual Meeting, HFES 2017
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAustin
Period9/10/1713/10/17

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