Waking Effectiveness of Emergency Alerting Devices for the Hearing Able, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf Populations

Title of Document: WAKING EFFECTIVENESS OF EMERGENCY ALERTING DEVICES FOR THE HEARING ABLE, HARD OF HEARING, AND DEAF POPULATIONS Erin Mack Ashley Doctor of Philosophy 2007 Directed By: Associate Professor Dr. James A. Milke Department of Fire Protection Engineering The study presented measures the awakening effectiveness of a number of commercially available emergency alerting devices. Three groups of varying hearing levels were tested: hearing able, hard of hearing, and deaf. The devices evaluated are a typical audible smoke detector, a strobe light, and a bed shaker. The subjects were monitored for sleep stage during the single night tests and the emergency alerting devices were activated in Stage 2, Delta and REM stages of sleep. Results indicate that the audible smoke detector was most effective for the hearing able population and least effective for the deaf population. The recommended alternative to the audible smoke detector, the strobe, was the least effective device when measured against the total United States population. The vibratory tactile devices were most effective across all hearing categories and sleep stage. When the tactile signal of the bed shaker was modified to vibrate intermittently, all persons were effectively aroused. The research shows that the standard audible detector recommended for placement in all American homes is only effective in awakening those without hearing loss. The strobe is recommended by building and fire codes when hearing deficits are present but did not sufficiently awaken any population. Tactile devices can provide a sufficient means for awakening all populations regardless of hearing level, age or race.