Acoustic shock: Causes and prevention

Good sound quality is a must for any event or a meeting. For interpreters, a solid headset and excellent event audio are crucial parts of the job. If overlooked, poor sound quality can result in missed words and phrases and lead to an unpleasant simultaneous interpretation experience. 

Sound quality can go as far as to affect the well-being of the interpreter. And we’re not just talking about interpreter fatigue. Have you ever heard of acoustic shock? If not, add this one to the list of bad sound quality outcomes. 

Recently, acoustic shock has become a popular topic among interpreters. If you want to know what it’s all about, look no further! In this article, we’ll reveal what acoustic shock is and provide tips and tricks on how to prevent it. 

What is acoustic shock?

Acoustic shock is a newly recognized condition often associated with sudden, unanticipated, and loud noises over a headset. 

Why are we only hearing about acoustic shock now? Well, let’s travel back in time and discuss the origins of this condition to grasp it better.

Around 20 years ago, telecommunications workers started noticing strange symptoms after long hours of work with their headphones on. Some reported feeling ear pain, anxiety, and even depression. At first, scientists thought it was acoustic trauma, an ear injury from deafening noises. 

However, as it turns out, the scientists were wrong. They recently recognized that telecommunication workers actually described the acoustic shock condition. What’s the difference? Telephone receivers and headsets had significantly lower sound levels to cause acoustic trauma. 

Why is acoustic shock important?

Telecommunications workers aren’t the only ones who had noticed the harms of acoustic shock. It has become a relevant topic among the interpreter community. So, let’s consider a possible scenario to better understand why acoustic shock is important.  

Imagine you’re working, listening to the meeting speaker, searching for the right word or phrase when suddenly, there’s a loud ping noise in the notifications! Surely, that would interrupt the flow of the remote simultaneous interpretation process. Not only will it interrupt you, but it can also lead to lasting symptoms and the development of the acoustic shock condition. 

One thing is for sure – such scenarios can happen. That’s why RSI platforms are looking for the best solutions to improve the sound quality and prevent acoustic shock incidents. 
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What causes acoustic shock?

Now that we know what acoustic shock is, let’s take a closer look at the causes. As we mentioned before, acoustic shock occurs from unexpected and sudden high-intensity and high-frequency sounds through a headset. You guessed it – headsets are a major contributing factor.

According to Polaris, these are a few examples of sounds that can lead to acoustic shock. Recognize any?

• Network shrieks, e.g., random high-pitch noises over network delays; internet interruptions that lead to rushed and high-pitched playback audio.
• Video-meeting notification sounds, e.g., audible ping as new members join; new message notification sound in the live chat.
• Sound lag, e.g., power supply failures that cause the systems, headphones, and sound to lag and shriek.
• Maliciously generated noises, e.g., screaming down the line or whistling noises into the microphone. These noises are created on purpose from the lack of best practices for virtual events.
• Mobile phone interference, e.g., a phone ring heard from an unmuted microphone; internet network interference from phones that use data in the event location.
• Background noise, e.g., sirens passing near the event location; loud sounds heard from the audience, such as laughter or clapping.
  

As you can see, the sounds that can cause acoustic shock can all happen because of common event mistakes such as sound lag or loud background noise. That’s why it’s crucial for event organizers and RSI platforms to be aware of these risks and take necessary measures to prevent them.

Three components of acoustic shock

Acoustic shock is not the initial startle reaction from a loud noise over the headset. According to ENT & audiology news, acoustic shock consists of three stages:

1. Acoustic incident. Loud, sudden, and random noises experienced either in one or both ears which can lead to developing symptoms. However, an acoustic incident doesn’t always mean that you will develop acoustic shock. It can either just cause acoustic startle (that’s the next one on the list!) or make you more vulnerable to developing acoustic shock.
   

2. Acoustic startle. Instinctive ‘startle response’ after experiencing an acoustic incident, e.g., temporary dullness in hearing. This is a natural reflex and not a condition.
   

3. Acoustic shock. A condition formed by the persistence of symptoms that are no longer a part of an automatic response. Prior stress and fear for a repeated incident increase the vulnerability of acoustic shock.

Symptoms of acoustic shock

Acoustic shock symptoms begin soon after the acoustic incident and can be short-lived or persistent. According to a study conducted by McFerran and Baguley, people affected by acoustic shock report multiple symptoms:

• Ear pain (otalgia)
• Altered hearing
• Ear fullness
• Imbalance
• Tinnitus
• Dislike or even fear of loud noises
• Anxiety
• Depression

How to prevent acoustic shock?

Unfortunately, scientists haven’t yet found the optimal treatment for acoustic shock. For now, prevention is the best solution.

You might think that it’s no easy job to prevent acoustic shock. After all, you can’t just get rid of your headset – it’s essential for remote simultaneous interpretation. So, without sacrificing your equipment, how else can you prevent acoustic shock? Let us give you a few tips on that!

Choose a high-quality headset

For professionals working with headsets, the EU recommends using a headset with an output limit for peak sounds of 135dB. We suggest Televic HS15 or Logitech H570e headsets for a superb audio experience. However, be aware that no headset can completely eliminate the risk of acoustic shock.

Limit headset use

Ensure that you are not exposed to a sound pressure level of more than 85 decibels in your eight-hour shift. This is the universal recommended sound limit. Don’t know how loud that is? Compare it to the sound level of heavy city traffic. We know, eight hours of traffic sounds horrible.

Ensure good internet connection

Have a stable internet connection when interpreting. An ethernet cable might be your best friend to have excellent sound quality or prevent interrupted connection.

Work in a controlled environment

Make sure that you’re interpreting in a controlled environment, where professionals monitor sound and follow international standards on good quality. Aim for events and platforms that adhere to the latest ISO standards.

Report acoustic incidents

There are tech teams that put all their effort into eliminating any possible sound issues that can happen while interpreting. So, choose the right meetings solution, and if you experience any acoustic incidents, report them and ask for help. That might just save you from acoustic shock!

At Interactio, the sound quality matched with industry standards is our priority. And did we mention that we offer a dedicated technical support team that performs sound checks and is always there to help you during the event? 

Join our interpreter community and break language barriers with no fear of acoustic shock!
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In short

As interpreters use headphones daily as a primary work tool, it’s essential to be aware of the acoustic shock condition. Especially since it can cause both physical and psychological symptoms. 

Quality headset, good internet connection, controlled environment, limited headset use and volume, and even reports on lousy sound quality can help prevent acoustic shock. That’s why it’s crucial to choose the right tools to work with.