In order to investigate the effect of the surface shape on the performance of perforated panels, three non-flat shapes were considered for perforated panel with their absorption performance compared with the usual shape of the (flat) perforated panel. In order to simulate the absorption coefficient of a non-flat perforated panel, the finite element method was implemented by the COMSOL 5.3a software in the frequency domain. Numerical simulation results revealed that all the shapes defined in this paper improve the absorption coefficient at the mid and high frequencies. A and B shapes had a higher performance at frequencies above 800 Hz compared to the flat shape. Also, shape C had a relative superiority at all frequencies (1–2000 Hz) compared to the reference shape; this superiority is completely clear at frequencies above 800 Hz. The maximum absorption coefficient occurred within the 400–750 Hz range. After determining the best shape in terms of absorption coefficient (shape C), a perforated panel of 10 m2 using fiberglass fibers and desired structural properties was built, and then it was also subjected to a statistical absorption coefficient test in the reverberation chamber according to the standard. The results of the statistical absorption coefficient measurement showed that the highest absorption coefficient was 0.77 at the frequency of 160 Hz. Also, to compare the experimental and numerical results, these conditions were implemented in a numerical environment and the statistical absorption coefficient was calculated according to the existing relationships. A comparison of the numerical and laboratory results revealed acceptable agreement for these two methods in most frequency spectra, where the numerical method was able to predict this quantity with good accuracy.

One of the most effective designs to control the road traffic noise is the T-shaped barrier. The aim of this study was to examine the performance of T-shape noise barriers covered with oblique diffusers using boundary element method. A 2D simulation technique based on the boundary element method (BEM) was used to compute the insertion loss at the center frequency of each one-third octave band. In designed barriers, the top surface of the T-shaped noise barriers was covered with oblique diffusers. The width and height of the barrier stem and the width of its cap were 0.3, 2.7, and 1 m, respectively. Angles of he oblique diffusers were 15, 30, and 45 degrees. The oblique diffusers were placed on the top surface with two designs including same oblique diffusers (SOD) and quadratic residue oblique diffusers (QROD). Barriers considered were made of concrete, an acoustically rigid material. The barrier with characteristics of QROD, forward direction, and sequence of angles (15, 30, and 45 degrees) had the greatest value of the overall A-weighted insertion loss equal to 18.3 to 21.8 dBA at a distance of 20 m with various heights of 0 to 6 m.

If we want to provide the efficient training intervention to increase the duration of using hearing protection devices (HPDs) by workers, we need a tool that can estimate the person’s hearing threshold taking into account noise exposure level, age, and work history, and compare them with audiometry to find out the percent reduction of workers hearing loss.

First, the workers noise exposure level was determined according to ISO 9612, then 4000 Hz audiometry was done to find age and work history. On basis of ISO 1999 the hearing threshold was estimated and if the hearing protection device was not used continuously and correctly, the hearing protection device’s actual performance was reduced adjusted with person’s audiometry. After training intervention, the estimate was done again and was compared with the adjusted audiometry.

According to ISO 1999 standard estimation results, the percent reduction of the workers hearing loss level was 6.48 dB in intervention group. This level remained unchanged in control group. The mean score of hearing threshold estimation (standard ISO 1999) was statistically more significant than mean score of hearing threshold (p-value ¡ 0.001). The results show not significant change in control group due to lack of changing of noise exposure level.

In regards to the results of hearing threshold estimation based on ISO 1999 and comparing with workers audiometry, it can be seen that BASNEF training intervention increases the duration of using the HPDs and it could be effective in reducing hearing threshold related to noise.