Improving Speech Intelligibility in Background Noise with an Adaptive Directional Microphone

Abstract

Omnidirectional, supercardioid, and adaptive directional microphones (ADM) were evaluated in combination with the ADRO amplification scheme for eight participants with moderate sloping hearing losses. The ADM produced better speech perception scores than the other two microphones in all noise conditions. Participants performed the Hearing in Noise Test sentences at -4.5 dB SNR or better, which is similar to the level achievable with normal hearing. The Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale indicated no disadvantages of using the ADM relative to the omnidirectional microphone in real-life situations. The ADM was preferred over the omnidirectional microphone in 54% of situations, compared to 17% preferences for the omnidirectional microphone, and 29% no preference. The combination of the ADM to improve SNR, and ADRO to keep the signal output comfortable and audible provided near-normal hearing performance for people with moderate hearing loss. The ADM is the recommended microphone configuration for ADRO hearing aids.

Measuring consonant identification in nonsense syllables, words, and sentences

“…For example, Ferguson and KewleyPort found that patients with mild SNHL accurately identified 73 percent of vowels at speech-to-babble ratios of -3 dB, i.e., well below typical SeRTs [8]. As a result, improving consonant comprehension is a major focus of current research on hearing aid design [9][10][11] and adaptive perceptual training [12][13][14][15].…”

Percepção de fala no ruído em idosos usuários de próteses auditivas com diferentes microfones e algoritmo de redução de ruído

“…Although some studies (6,7,8) report that these features are important to improve understanding in noisy environments, the evidences found do not clarify whether the elderly can benefit from these settings.…”

“…In order to improve speech intelligibility, and hence, the performance of its members, hearing aids noise reduction algorithms and different types of microphones have been developed and incorporated to hearing aids, which have the purpose to reduce the signal/noise in the environment (4,5) . The noise reduction algorithms are meant to attenuate the intensity of noise, when it exceeds a certain proportion in relation to the speech signal (6,7) , which may promote speech intelligibility, reduce the discomfort to the sounds and the effort to listen.…”

Percepção de fala: desempenho de indivíduos usuários de aparelho de amplificação sonora individual com microfone direcional

“…Directional microphones are more sensitive to sounds coming from a certain direction, generally from the front of the head, reducing sounds that come from other directions (8,9) . The improvement in the signal/noise ratio (S/N) in directional microphones varies by 3-5 dB, contributing to the intelligibility of the speech signal (10) .…”