Component 1: Technical Application's Background
Task 1:
In the early 1900’s the idea of speakers became a huge discovery. The first form of a speaker was used in telephones. These speakers were used to hear a person on another end of a phone line. The next marked history of speakers was the use of surround sound in cinemas for a great movie experience. From there this technology was used for many different types of microphones, stereos, and headphones.
History of Speakers and Headphones
Unfortunately, these new discoveries have allowed people to raise volumes to unnecessary high levels, which results in an increase of hearing loss throughout the world. The sound waves that travel into your ear vibrate your eardrum and are eventually passed into the cochlea of your ear. From there, the sound vibrations turn into nerve impulses and can damage nerves in your brain, or the tiny hairs in your cochlea.
Information about Hearing
In this generation, the percentage of people with hearing loss is more than ever. About five million children and teens in the country have noise-induced hearing loss. Many organizations, such as H.E.A.R., have come together to help prevent this problem. These organizations design earplugs, special education about hearing, and special noise-blocking headsets. Thankfully, these benefits have helped contain the number of people with noise-induced hearing loss.
Task 2:
Three examples of research done in the past three to five years that have focused on the N.C.T technical application our team has selected includes:
www.eqmag.com
Where: American Academy of Audiology
Who: Joint research of Shanda Brashears-Morlet of the Louisiana State University
Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, Michael Santucci of Chicago-based
Sensaphonics Hearing Conservation, and Thierry G. Morlet from the Auditory Physiology and Psychoacoustics Laboratory at the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, DE
Funding Agency: www.sensphonics.com. Shure Incorporated
www.sciencedaily.com
Where: Northwestern University
Who: Dean Garstecki
Funding Agency: Northwestern University
www.dontlosethemusic.com
Where: RNID
Who: Dr. John Low, Chief Executive
Funding Agency: “Don’t Lose the Music” campaign (fundraising)
Task 3:
Living Systems has advanced scientific knowledge by improving conditions for people in everyday life. Also, they have increased health awareness. This increased research leads to increased knowledge of the issue, and can be used to make new equipment to help humans and the environment in general.