Usability assessment of a wearable speech-processing platform

Abstract

The ultimate value of the NIDCD open-source initiative lies in use of the resulting platforms in research studies that advance knowledge and practice in hearing health-care. This study is concerned with usability of the current instantiation of the UCSD wearable speech-processing platform in possible field studies of advanced processing and/or listener-adjustment protocols. Usability is assessed, here, in the context of hearing-aid self-adjustment. Starting with an NAL-NL2 prescription for a relatively mild generic hearing loss, volunteers self-adjust gain and spectral tilt to preference in the clinic. They use the embedded version of the Boothroyd and Mackersie “Goldilocks” protocol while listening to recorded narrative at a conversational level. They are then accompanied by the researcher to local environments, with varying background noise and reverberation, and are given the opportunity to readjust. Listener reactions are subsequently obtained via a structured interview covering opinions on the physical attributes, acoustic attributes, and ease of adjustment. These are supplemented by coupler and real-ear measures of self-selected responses together with measures of phoneme recognition as a function of listening level. Individual differences are extreme but most participants respond positively to acoustics and usability and a proportion indicate a willingness to wear the platform in field studies.