Dataset Information

Intelligibility and Clarity of Reverberant Speech: Effects of Wide Dynamic Range Compression Release Time and Working Memory.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of varying wide dynamic range compression (WDRC) release time on intelligibility and clarity of reverberant speech. The study also considered the role of individual working memory.

Method

Thirty older listeners with mild to moderately-severe sloping sensorineural hearing loss participated. Individuals were divided into high and low working memory groups on the basis of the results of a reading span test. Participants listened binaurally to sentence stimuli simulated at a range of reverberation conditions and WDRC release times using a high compression ratio. Outcome measures included objective intelligibility and subjective clarity ratings.

Results

Speech intelligibility and clarity ratings both decreased as a function of reverberation. The low working memory group demonstrated a greater decrease in intelligibility with increasing amounts of reverberation than the high working memory group. Both groups, regardless of working memory, had higher speech intelligibility and clarity ratings with longer WDRC release times. WDRC release time had a larger effect on speech intelligibility under more reverberant conditions.

Conclusions

Reverberation significantly affects speech intelligibility, particularly for individuals with lower working memory. In addition, longer release times in hearing aids may improve listener speech intelligibility and clarity in reverberant environments.

SUBMITTER: Reinhart PN

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5399768 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Intelligibility and Clarity of Reverberant Speech: Effects of Wide Dynamic Range Compression Release Time and Working Memory.

Reinhart Paul N PN Souza Pamela E PE

Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR 20161201 6

<h4>Purpose</h4>The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of varying wide dynamic range compression (WDRC) release time on intelligibility and clarity of reverberant speech. The study also considered the role of individual working memory.<h4>Method</h4>Thirty older listeners with mild to moderately-severe sloping sensorineural hearing loss participated. Individuals were divided into high and low working memory groups on the basis of the results of a reading span test. Participants lis ...[more]

PMID: 27997667

Similar Datasets

Project description:The goal of this research was to assess the support for motor speech disorders as explanatory constructs to guide research and treatment of reduced intelligibility in persons with Down syndrome (DS). Participants were the 45 adolescents with DS in the prior paper who were classified into five mutually-exclusive motor speech classifications using the Speech Disorders Classification System. An ordinal index classified participants' percentage of intelligible words in conversation as High (≥ 85%), Moderate (80% - 84.9%), or Low (< 80%). Statistical analyses tested for significant differences in intelligibility status associated with demographic, intelligence, and language variables, and intelligibility status associated with motor speech classifications and speech, prosody, and voice variables. For the 10 participants who met criteria for concurrent Childhood Dysarthria and Childhood Apraxia of Speech at assessment, 80% had reduced (Moderate or Low) intelligibility and 20% had High intelligibility (significant effect size: 0.644). Proportionally more of the 32 participants who met criteria for either dysarthria or apraxia had reduced intelligibility (significant effect size: 0.318). Low intelligibility was significantly associated with across-the-board reductions in phonemic and phonetic accuracy and with inappropriate prosody and voice. Findings are interpreted as support for motor speech disorders in adolescents with DS as explanatory constructs for their reduced intelligibility. Pending cross-validation of findings in diverse samples of persons with DS, studies are needed to assess the efficacy of motor speech classification status to guide selection of treatment methods and intelligibility targets. Abbreviations: CAS: Childhood Apraxia of Speech; CD: Childhood Dysarthria; DS: Down syndrome; II: Intelligibility Index; No MSD: No Motor Speech Disorder; OII: Ordinal Intelligibility Index; PSD: Persistent Speech Delay; SDCS: Speech Disorders Classification System; SMD: Speech Motor Delay.

Dataset Information

Intelligibility and Clarity of Reverberant Speech: Effects of Wide Dynamic Range Compression Release Time and Working Memory.

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Intelligibility and Clarity of Reverberant Speech: Effects of Wide Dynamic Range Compression Release Time and Working Memory.

Similar Datasets

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