New Technology and Implications for Health and Safety
The Rise of Hearables
We are all familiar with wearable technology as part of our daily lives – those devices that track biological data, from heart rate to sleep patterns. We also know these devices are becoming popular in occupational health & safety such as those that track fatigue through eye movements or vibration through hand or wrist mounted devices.
However, a new area of interest, and possible concern, is the rise of ‘hearables’. A ‘hearable’ is a wireless in-ear computational device. Essentially it is a microcomputer that fits in your ear canal and uses wireless technology to supplement and enhance your listening experience but can often feature additional biometric data collection such as heart rate monitoring.
So, what could the future of in-ear technology provide for users?
- Monitoring of vital signs heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, etc.
- Activity tracking monitoring movement and exercise
- Biometric personal identification recognising a person based on size and shape of the ear
- Invisibility small and discrete to wear
- Improved sound quality through sound filtering
- Augmented hearing the ability to hear above normal levels
- Seamless syncing with other smart devices
- Translation the possibility of live translation of languages
- Layered listening augmented reality for ears allowing filtering or enhancement of sounds.
Hearable technology presents great potential for those with hearing loss – allowing for improved hearing, social and occupational accessibility, and acceptability. We could certainly expect the stigma associated with wearing a ‘hearing aid’ to be reduced as we become comfortable across society in wearing in ear devices. Hearables also present an opportunity for improved action from users on wellbeing from personal and real time feedback and in terms of workplaces, filtering of harmful sounds, improved communication, and personal hearing profiles able to be accounted for.
However, increased use of in-ear sound producing or enhancing technology may also carry with it a risk of hearing health damage, aggravation of tinnitus or hyperacusis (sensitivity to normal sounds). Energy and concentration required for listening, louder levels of sound and having numerous sound sources presented to the ears can also lead to increased stress, distraction and also fatigue. Hearables are likely to become a popular personal tech and, if bought ‘off the shelf’, would not have the protection provided by a prescribed device from an audiometric professional.
Alongside any new technology there will need to be new risk assessments that can highlight and address new challenges for workplace health and safety. I could talk about the risk of ‘hidden noise’ but we can save that for another blog!
The challenge will be presented to employers to consider how this technology might integrate in the workplace to raise awareness of health whilst utilising innovation for reducing stigma but also mitigate for any new risks for both health, safety and wellbeing.
Any thoughts about this technology or to ask about hearing conservation programmes please contact clare.forshaw@parkhs.co.uk for more information.