Abstract
As a supplement to the previous report (Kurakata et al., The Japanese Journal of Ergonomics, Vol. 34, No. 4, 1998), the audio signals used in electric home appliances were investigated to identify suitable signals for the hearing ability of older adults. First, the audio signals in appliances made by eight manufacturers in Japan were recorded. Then their frequencies and sound pressure levels were analyzed. Next, based on the hearing levels of young adults and the elderly, thresholds of hearing were estimated as a function of frequency to show frequency-intensity regions audible for different age groups. The results of the measurements confirmed the conclusion of the previous report that many of the audio signals could not be heard by the elderly and lower-frequency tones should be used as signals. These results might well serve as basic data to design audio signals suitable for both young adults and senior citizens.
