Palmiero Andrew J, Symons Daniel, Morgan Judge W, Shaffer Ronald E
a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania.
b Scott Safety Inc. , Monroe , North Carolina.
J Occup Environ Hyg. 2016 Dec;13(12):960-968. doi: 10.1080/15459624.2016.1200723.
Speech Intelligibility (SI) is the perceived quality of sound transmission. In healthcare settings, the ability to communicate clearly with coworkers, patients, etc., is crucial to quality patient care and safety. The objectives of this study were to: (1) assess the suitability of the Speech Transmission Index (STI) methods for testing reusable and disposable facial and respiratory personal protective equipment (protective facemasks [PF], N95 filtering facepiece respirators [N95 FFR], and elastomeric half-mask air-purifying respirators [EAPR]) commonly worn by healthcare workers; (2) quantify STI levels of these devices; and (3) contribute to the scientific body of knowledge in the area of SI. SI was assessed using the STI under two experimental conditions: (1) a modified version of the National Fire Protection Association 1981 Supplementary Voice Communications System Performance Test at a Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) of -15 (66 dBA) and (2) STI measurements utilizing a range of modified pink noise levels (52.5 dBA (-2 SNR) - 72.5 dBA (+7 SNR)) in 5.0 dBA increments. The PF models (Kimberly Clark 49214 and 3 M 1818) had the least effect on SI interference, typically deviating from the STI baseline (no-mask condition) by 3% and 4% STI, respectively. The N95FFR (3 M 1870, 3 M 1860) had more effect on SI interference, typically differing from baseline by 13% and 17%, respectively, for models tested. The EAPR models (Scott Xcel and North 5500) had the most significant impact on SI, differing from baseline by 42% for models tested. This data offers insight into the performance of these apparatus with respect to STI and may serve as a reference point for future respirator design considerations, standards development, testing and certification activities.
言语可懂度（SI）是声音传输的感知质量。在医疗环境中，与同事、患者等进行清晰沟通的能力对于优质的患者护理和安全至关重要。本研究的目的是：（1）评估言语传输指数（STI）方法对测试医护人员常用的可重复使用和一次性面部及呼吸防护设备（防护口罩[PF]、N95过滤式面罩呼吸器[N95 FFR]和弹性体半面罩空气净化呼吸器[EAPR]）的适用性；（2）量化这些设备的STI水平；（3）为言语可懂度领域的科学知识体系做出贡献。在两种实验条件下使用STI评估言语可懂度：（1）美国国家消防协会1981年补充语音通信系统性能测试的修改版本，信噪比（SNR）为-15（66 dBA）；（2）使用一系列修改后的粉红噪声水平（52.5 dBA（-2 SNR）-72.5 dBA（+7 SNR）），以5.0 dBA为增量进行STI测量。PF型号（金佰利克拉克49214和3M 1818）对SI干扰的影响最小，通常分别比STI基线（无口罩条件）偏离3%和4% STI。N95FFR（3M 1870、3M 1860）对SI干扰的影响更大，测试的型号通常分别比基线偏离13%和17%。EAPR型号（斯科特Xcel和诺斯5500）对SI的影响最为显著，测试的型号比基线偏离42%。这些数据提供了关于这些设备在STI方面性能的见解，并可作为未来呼吸器设计考量、标准制定、测试和认证活动的参考点。
