An algorithm that administers adaptive speech-in-noise testing to a specified reliability at selectable points on the psychometric function

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America

et al. 2018

Cubick and Dau [(2016). Acta Acust. Acust. 102, 547–557] showed that speech reception thresholds (SRTs) in noise, obtained with normal-hearing listeners, were significantly higher with hearing aids (HAs) than without. Some listeners reported a change in their spatial perception of the stimuli due to the HA processing, with auditory images often being broader and closer to the head or even internalized. The current study investigated whether worse speech intelligibility with HAs might be explained by distorted spatial perception and the resulting reduced ability to spatially segregate the target speech from the interferers. SRTs were measured in normal-hearing listeners with or without HAs in the presence of three interfering talkers or speech-shaped noises. Furthermore, listeners were asked to sketch their spatial perception of the acoustic scene. Consistent with the previous study, SRTs increased with HAs. Spatial release from masking was lower with HAs than without. The effects were similar for noise and speech maskers and appeared to be accounted for by changes to energetic masking. This interpretation was supported by results from a binaural speech intelligibility model. Even though the sketches indicated a change of spatial perception with HAs, no direct link between spatial perception and segregation of talkers could be shown.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Listening through hearing aids affects spatial perception and speech intelligibility in normal-hearing listeners

Cubick

Buchholz

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America

et al. 2018

“…For each background noise environment, one adaptive track (see Keidser et al, 2013b) was initially completed in the Phonak directional mode to estimate the target level at which 50% correct identification was achieved. This SRTn was used to select an SNR for fixed-level testing.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An evaluation of the performance of two binaural beamformers in complex and dynamic multitalker environments

International Journal of Audiology

Mejia

Freeston

et al. 2015

Self Cite

Objective Binaural beamformers are super-directional hearing aids created by combining microphone outputs from each side of the head. While they offer substantial improvements in SNR over conventional directional hearing aids, the benefits (and possible limitations) of these devices in realistic, complex listening situations have not yet been fully explored. In this study we evaluated the performance of two experimental binaural beamformers. Design Testing was carried out using a horizontal loudspeaker array. Background noise was created using recorded conversations. Performance measures included speech intelligibility, localisation in noise, acceptable noise level, subjective ratings, and a novel dynamic speech intelligibility measure. Study sample Participants were 27 listeners with bilateral hearing loss, fitted with BTE prototypes that could be switched between conventional directional or binaural beamformer microphone modes. Results Relative to the conventional directional microphones, both binaural beamformer modes were generally superior for tasks involving fixed frontal targets, but not always for situations involving dynamic target locations. Conclusions Binaural beamformers show promise for enhancing listening in complex situations when the location of the source of interest is predictable.

“…In the first block, an adaptive procedure was used to estimate the 50% SRT (for details see Keidser et al, 2013b). A block of 32 sentences was then completed at each of three fixed SNRs: the estimated SRT, the SRT+2 dB, and the SRT−2 dB.…”

Section: Evaluation Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and preliminary evaluation of a new test of ongoing speech comprehension

International Journal of Audiology

Keidser

Buchholz

et al. 2015

Self Cite

Objective The overall goal of this work is to create new speech perception tests that more closely resemble real world communication and offer an alternative or complement to the commonly used sentence recall test. Design We describe the development of a new ongoing speech comprehension test based on short everyday passages and on-the-go questions. We also describe the results of an experiment conducted to compare the psychometric properties of this test to those of a sentence test. Study Sample Both tests were completed by a group of listeners that included normal hearers as well as hearing-impaired listeners who participated with and without their hearing aids. Results Overall, the psychometric properties of the two tests were similar, and thresholds were significantly correlated. However, there was some evidence of age/cognitive effects in the comprehension test that were not revealed by the sentence test. Conclusions This new comprehension test promises to be useful for the larger goal of creating laboratory tests that combine realistic acoustic environments with realistic communication tasks. Further efforts will be required to assess whether the test can ultimately improve predictions of real-world outcomes.