PD CEN ISO/TS 9241-126:2022 Ergonomics of human-system interaction Guidance on the presentation of auditory information

Standard number: PD CEN ISO/TS 9241-126:2022

Pages: 32

Released: 2022-08-03

ISBN: 978 0 539 18934 6

Name: Ergonomics of human-system interaction Guidance on the presentation of auditory information

Status: Standard

Overview

In the modern world, the interaction between humans and systems is becoming increasingly complex and multifaceted. The PD CEN ISO/TS 9241-126:2022 standard provides comprehensive guidance on the presentation of auditory information, ensuring that such interactions are both effective and ergonomic. This standard is an essential resource for professionals involved in the design and implementation of human-system interfaces, particularly those that rely on auditory cues.

Key Features

• Comprehensive Guidance: This standard offers detailed instructions on how to present auditory information in a way that is clear, effective, and user-friendly.
• Ergonomic Focus: Emphasizes the importance of ergonomics in human-system interaction, ensuring that auditory information is presented in a manner that minimizes user strain and maximizes efficiency.
• Up-to-Date Information: Released on August 3, 2022, this standard incorporates the latest research and best practices in the field of ergonomics and human-system interaction.
• International Standard: As part of the ISO 9241 series, this document is recognized and utilized globally, making it a valuable resource for international projects and collaborations.

Why This Standard is Important

The presentation of auditory information is a critical aspect of many systems, from simple alert sounds to complex auditory interfaces. Poorly designed auditory information can lead to user frustration, errors, and even safety issues. The PD CEN ISO/TS 9241-126:2022 standard addresses these challenges by providing clear, evidence-based guidelines for the effective presentation of auditory information.

By adhering to this standard, designers and developers can create systems that are not only more user-friendly but also safer and more efficient. This is particularly important in high-stakes environments such as healthcare, aviation, and industrial settings, where the clarity and effectiveness of auditory information can have significant implications.

Who Should Use This Standard?

This standard is invaluable for a wide range of professionals, including:

• Human Factors Engineers: Professionals who specialize in optimizing the interaction between humans and systems will find this standard to be an essential tool in their work.
• System Designers: Those involved in the design of systems that utilize auditory information will benefit from the clear guidelines and best practices outlined in this document.
• Usability Experts: Specialists in usability and user experience can use this standard to ensure that auditory information is presented in a way that enhances the overall user experience.
• Safety Engineers: In environments where safety is paramount, this standard provides crucial guidance on how to present auditory information in a way that minimizes the risk of errors and accidents.

Content and Structure

The PD CEN ISO/TS 9241-126:2022 standard is structured to provide clear and actionable guidance. It covers a range of topics, including:

• Principles of Auditory Information Presentation: Fundamental principles that underpin the effective presentation of auditory information.
• Design Guidelines: Specific guidelines for designing auditory information, including considerations for different types of sounds and user contexts.
• Evaluation Methods: Techniques for evaluating the effectiveness of auditory information presentation, ensuring that designs meet user needs and expectations.
• Case Studies: Real-world examples that illustrate the application of the standard's guidelines in various contexts.

Benefits of Compliance

Compliance with the PD CEN ISO/TS 9241-126:2022 standard offers numerous benefits, including:

• Improved User Satisfaction: By presenting auditory information in a clear and ergonomic manner, users are more likely to have a positive experience with the system.
• Enhanced Safety: Clear and effective auditory information can help prevent errors and accidents, particularly in high-stakes environments.
• Increased Efficiency: Well-designed auditory information can help users complete tasks more quickly and accurately, improving overall system efficiency.
• Global Recognition: As an internationally recognized standard, compliance demonstrates a commitment to best practices and can enhance the reputation of your organization.

Conclusion

The PD CEN ISO/TS 9241-126:2022 standard is an essential resource for anyone involved in the design and implementation of human-system interfaces that utilize auditory information. By providing clear, evidence-based guidelines, this standard helps ensure that auditory information is presented in a way that is both effective and ergonomic. Whether you are a human factors engineer, system designer, usability expert, or safety engineer, this standard offers valuable insights and best practices that can enhance the quality and effectiveness of your work.

PD CEN ISO/TS 9241-126:2022

This standard PD CEN ISO/TS 9241-126:2022 Ergonomics of human-system interaction is classified in these ICS categories:

• 13.180 Ergonomics
• 35.180 IT terminal and other peripheral equipment

This document provides guidance for the auditory presentation of information controlled by software, irrespective of the device. It includes specific properties such as the syntactic or semantic aspects of information, e.g. coding techniques, and gives provisions for the organization of information taking account of human perception and memory capabilities. This document does not address the hardware issues of the transmission and the production of auditory information. NOTE 1 Volume is dependent on hardware and thus cannot always be absolutely controlled by software. Environmental conditions can also affect the ability for sounds to be perceived, which can be beyond the ability of the software to take into account. This document does not apply to auditory alarms, warnings or other safety-related uses of auditory information. NOTE 2 Safety-related uses of auditory presentation of information are covered in various domain specific standards, such as ISO 7731:2003 which deals with auditory danger signals for public and work areas, and IEC 60601-1-8:2006 which provides very specific requirements for auditory alarms for medical devices. While this document applies to the presentation of all non-safety-related information, it does not include application domain specific guidance (e.g., audio instructions for consumer products). This document can be utilized throughout the design process (e.g. as specification and guidance for designers during design or as a basis for heuristic evaluation). Its provisions for the presentation of information depend on the auditory design approach, the task, the user, the environment and the single or multiple technologies that can be used for presenting the information. Consequently, this document cannot be applied without knowledge of the context of use. It is not intended to be used as a prescriptive set of rules to be applied in its entirety but rather assumes that the designer has proper information available concerning task and user requirements and understands the use of available technology. This document does not address visual or tactile/haptic presentation of information or modality shifting for the presentation of auditory information in other modalities. NOTE 3 ISO 9241-112 provides high-level ergonomic guidance that applies to all modalities.