An intelligent system for noise-induced hearing loss

This paper describes a fuzzy approach to the modelling of noise-induced hearing loss that is one of the most visible effects of noise. The hearing loss has been considered as a function of noise level, frequency, and duration of exposure. The model is implemented on fuzzy logic toolbox of MATLAB using both Mamdani and TSK inference mechanisms. The model results are compared with the survey findings of World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and are found to be in good agreement. The study reveals that the industrial workers should not be exposed to more than 85 dB noise levels in the frequency range of 3-5 kHz for 40 years of estimated service in order to avoid significant hearing loss. The present effort also establishes the usefulness of fuzzy technique in studying the environmental problems where cause-effect relationships are inherently fuzzy in nature.