Listener Comfort Research Articles

Temporal and Spectral Models as Correlates to Auditory-Perceptual Judgments of Overall Severity and Listener Comfort in Tracheoesophageal Voice.

This study pursued two objectives: (1) to determine the potential association between listener (n = 51) judgments of 20 male tracheoesophageal speaker samples for two auditory-perceptual dimensions of voice, overall severity (OS) and listener comfort (LC); and (2) to assess the temporal and spectral acoustic correlates for these auditory-perceptual dimensions. Three separate correlation analyses were performed to evaluate the association between OS and LC. First, scores of OS and LC from all listeners were pooled together, and then the correlation between OS and LC was computed. Second, scores of OS and LC were averaged over all listeners to derive a single estimate of OS and LC for each TE speaker sample; the correlation between the average OS and LC was then computed. Third, listener-to-listener variability in the association between OS and LC was evaluated by computing the correlation between OS and LC scores from each listener across all TE samples. Finally, two stepwise multiple regression models were created to relate the average LC score to spectral and temporal variation in the acoustic signal. While the pooled OS and LC scores had a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.66, p < 0.00001), the averaged OS and LC exhibited a near perfect positive correlation (r = 0.99, p < 0.00001). The significant differences between the pooled and averaged scores were explained by significant listener-to-listener variability in the association between OS and LC. OS and LC scores from 5 listeners had non-significant correlations, 10 had moderate correlations (r < 0.7), 35 listeners had high correlations (0.7 < r < 0.9), and 1 listener had a very high correlation (r < 0.9 < 1). Finally, the acoustic models created based on the spectral and temporal variations in the signal were able to account for 87.7% and 61.8% of variation in the average LC score. The strong correlations between OS and LC suggest that LC may, in fact, provide a more comprehensive auditory-perceptual surrogate for the voice quality of TE speakers. Although OS and LC are distinct conceptual dimensions, LC appears to have the advantage of assessing the social impact and potential communication disability that may exist in interactions between TE speakers and listeners.

BPACE: A Bayesian, Patient-Centered Procedure for Matrix Speech Tests in Noise.

Matrix sentence tests in noise can be challenging to the listener and time-consuming. A trade-off should be found between testing time, listener's comfort and the precision of the results. Here, a novel test procedure based on an updated maximum likelihood method was developed and implemented in a German matrix sentence test. It determines the parameters of the psychometric function (threshold, slope, and lapse-rate) without constantly challenging the listener at the intelligibility threshold. A so-called "credible interval" was used as a mid-run estimate of reliability and can be used as a termination criterion for the test. The procedure was evaluated and compared to a STAIRCASE procedure in a study with 20 cochlear implant patients and 20 normal hearing participants. The proposed procedure offers comparable accuracy and reliability to the reference method, but with a lower listening effort, as rated by the listeners ( points on a 10-point scale). Test duration can be reduced by 1.3 min on average when a credible interval of 2 dB is used as the termination criterion instead of testing 30 sentences. Particularly, normal hearing listeners and well performing, cochlear implant users can benefit from shorter test duration. Although the novel procedure was developed for a German test, it can easily be applied to tests in any other language.

Influence of Phonatory Break Duration and Pause Time on Auditory-Perceptual Ratings of Speech Acceptability and Listener Comfort in Adductor-Type Laryngeal Dystonia

IntroductionThis study empirically evaluated the influence of phonatory break duration and pause time on auditory-perceptual measures of speech produced by 26 adult speakers diagnosed with adductor-type laryngeal dystonia (AdLD). Type of StudyExperimental. MethodsFifteen inexperienced, young adult normal-hearing listeners provided ratings of speech acceptability and listener comfort for samples of running speech. Four phonatory break and pause time conditions were assessed using visual analog scaling methods. All stimuli were randomized for presentation and listeners were presented with experimental stimuli in a counterbalanced manner. ResultsResults indicate that the duration of phonatory breaks directly influenced listener ratings of speech acceptability (P < 0.001) and listener comfort (P < 0.001), with significant differences between original and modified recordings for both. Speech acceptability and listener comfort ratings were strongly correlated across all timing conditions (r = 0.85–0.97). ConclusionsThe duration of phonatory breaks and pauses have significantly influence judgments of speech acceptability and listener comfort for AdLD. This suggests that temporal factors such as phonatory break duration and pause time in AdLD may carry substantial negative impact on listeners’ perception relative to other auditory-perceptual features that co-exist in the signal.

The Effects of Contextual Priming and Alaryngeal Speech Mode on Auditory-Perceptual Ratings of Listener Comfort

The effectiveness of postlaryngectomy communication methods (esophageal, tracheoesophageal, and electrolaryngeal speech) has been primarily evaluated using functional outcomes. This evaluation neglects the importance of listeners and their influence on communicative effectiveness. Listener comfort (LC), or the ease with which a listener interacts with alaryngeal speakers, may provide an important index of communicative effectiveness. The present study investigated the use of LC in the auditory-perceptual evaluation of alaryngeal speech modes, as well as evaluating the influence of contextual cues used to elicit ratings on listener judgments of all three alaryngeal modes. Thirty-three naïve listeners provided independent ratings of LC for 39 alaryngeal speech samples using a visual analogue scaling procedure. Each group of listeners rated alaryngeal speech in three imagined listening conditions (Telephone Conversation, Social Situation, and a non-specified Control Condition). To analyze LC ratings obtained, a 3×3 mixed factor analysis of variance was conducted. A significant interaction effect between alaryngeal speech mode and listening condition (P=0.04) was identified. Overall, pairwise comparisons of alaryngeal speech mode indicated that listeners were more comfortable when presented with tracheoesophageal speech samples compared to those of esophageal and electrolaryn geal speakers. Our data suggest that LC ratings are influenced by alaryngeal speech mode. Tracheoesophagea speech was perceived to have the most favorable LC ratings compared to the other alaryngeal speech modes in all listening conditions. Contextual cues (i.e., social condition and telephone condition) did not have an effect on LC ratings.

The influence of clear speech on auditory-perceptual judgments of electrolaryngeal speech

PurposeTo determine the influence of clear speech on auditory-perceptual judgments of speech acceptability and listener comfort for electrolaryngeal speech. MethodVoice recordings were obtained from 10 electrolaryngeal speakers. Each speaker read the Rainbow Passage in two conditions: habitual speech and clear speech. Speakers were encouraged to speak as clearly as possible and over-articulate in the clear speech condition. Auditory-perceptual rating tasks were completed by 20 normal-hearing adults who evaluated 20 randomized voice recordings. Two counterbalanced listening sessions were used to gather ratings of speech acceptability and listener comfort. ResultsA significant effect of speaking condition was found on listener judgments of speech acceptability, but not listener comfort. However, listener scores for speech acceptability and listener comfort were found to be significantly related. For all speakers, objective temporal measures indicated reduced speaking rates in the clear speech condition. ConclusionsThese findings suggest that volitional attempts to improve electrolaryngeal speech using clear speech might negatively impact listener judgments of speech acceptability, but not listener comfort. Further, the data suggest that speech acceptability and listener comfort might address unique perceptual entities. Overall, the strong relationship between these auditory-perceptual dimensions provide support for the use of scaled measurements to assess the impact of speech rehabilitation on individuals who use the electrolarynx.

Middle school students’ perceptions of a peer who stutters

Little is known about how middle school students perceive a similar-aged peer who stutters. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the influence of stuttering frequency, Likert statement type (affective, behavioral, cognitive), and the gender of the listener on middle school students’ perceptions of a peer who stutters. Sixty-four middle school students (10–14 years) individually viewed a video sample of a teen telling a joke at one of four stuttering frequencies (<1%, 5%, 10%, 14%). After the students viewed one of the video samples, they were asked to rate 11 Likert statements that reflected their affective, behavioral, and cognitive perceptions of a peer who stuttered. The results revealed an interaction between stuttering frequency and Likert statement type. Ratings of behavioral statements (speech production characteristics) were significantly more positive for the sample containing <1% stuttering than 10% and 14% stuttering. Ratings for cognitive statements (thought and beliefs) were significantly more positive for the sample containing <1% stuttering than 10% and 14% stuttering. The stuttering frequency of the peer did not significantly influence how students rated affective statements (feelings and emotions). It was also found that male and female middle school students did not significantly differ in their perceptions of a male peer who stutters. Clinical implications are discussed relative to peer teasing, friendship, listener comfort, and social acceptance within a middle school setting for a student who stutters. Future research directions are also discussed. Educational objectives: The reader will be able to: (1) summarize how middle school students perceive stuttering; (2) explain how the frequency of stuttering influences middle school students’ perceptions of a peer who stutters; and (3) provide clinical implications of the data from this study.

The impact of dysarthria on everyday communication after traumatic brain injury: A pilot study

Primary objective: To compare the everyday communication of individuals with mild and moderate dysarthria and concomitant cognitive-communication impairments following traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods and procedures: Five participants with mild dysarthria and five with moderate dysarthria following TBI were recorded during telephone service enquiries with bus timetable call centre operators. Transcripts were analysed using exchange structure analysis derived from systemic functional linguistics. Listener comfort ratings were collected using a novel equal appearing interval scale to measure how comfortable people would feel interacting with the participants.Main outcomes and results: Participants with moderate dysarthria were not necessarily penalized for having poorer intelligibility during bus timetable service encounters. While participants with moderate dysarthria were given poorer listener comfort ratings, this did not affect the way information was exchanged with bus timetable call centre operators. These findings were attributed to the powerful interactional role of TBI participants as customers, the amount of disability awareness training and experience held by call centre operators and the highly structured nature of bus timetable service enquiries. Listener comfort ratings could be predicted with moderate accuracy from intelligibility scores.Conclusions: Service encounters where individuals with TBI are placed in a powerful interactional role of customer may be functional generalization tasks for people with moderate dysartrhia. Training and education of service providers may also impact on the communicative effectiveness of individuals with TBI.

Effect of Experience on Judgments of Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia

We performed a prospective, exploratory study 1) to determine differences in judgments of overall severity (OS) and vocal effort (VE) in adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD) when judgments are made by experienced listeners, naive listeners, and speakers with ADSD; 2) to determine differences in judgments of listener comfort (LC) in ADSD when judgments are made by experienced and naive listeners; and 3) to determine relationships between auditory-perceptual ratings of voice and speakers' voice handicap. Twenty speakers with ADSD provided speech recordings. They judged their own speech samples for OS and VE and completed the Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Twenty naive and 8 experienced listeners evaluated speech samples for OS, VE, and LC using rating scales. No differences were found for judgments of OS, VE, or LC across the groups. However, the strategies used by the speakers seemed to differ from those used by the other listeners in making OS and VE judgments. The speakers' self-judged VE correlated moderately with voice handicap; experienced and naive listeners'judgments were only weakly related to VHI scores. Speakers with ADSD and listeners appear to use auditory-perceptual dimensions differently. Voice handicap is best predicted by patient-perceived VE, and not by clinician or naive listeners' judgments.

Augmented-reality virtual-diffusion system: A tool to evaluate listener comfort

The augmented-reality virtual-diffusion system presented here aims to evaluate the comfort of a subject listening to a nearby speaker located in a room filled with a diffuse crowd. The main parameter to be studied is sound field diffusion and its relation to comfort. To this purpose a virtual diffusion system, based on electro acoustic transducers mounted on the walls, is employed to actively change the properties of the diffuse sound field. The augmented reality factor is introduced through the interaction of the virtual diffusion system with the acoustics of the room. The present paper presents a brief description of the approach chosen to implement the augmented-reality virtual-diffusion system. Diffusion measurements obtained with both virtual and real diffusers are compared. Results regarding auditory events location evoked by different sound fields and predictions from a cross-correlation-based binaural model employed to model these results are discussed. Initial results relative to comfort evoked by the different sound fields as well as a possible relation between auditory events location and listener comfort are discussed.

Listener perceptions along a fluency–disfluency continuum: A phenomenological analysis

The purpose of this study was to conduct a phenomenological analysis (a qualitative research method) of unbiased listeners’ perceptions to six speech samples across a fluency–disfluency continuum. A sample of 60 individuals heard only one sample chosen from three levels of fluent or three levels of disfluent speech. Listeners were interviewed following the presentation of the speech sample and their comments were analyzed with respect to the perception of the speaker’s communicative effectiveness. Communicative effectiveness was supported by three phenomenological categories: speaker attributes, listener attributes, and story attributes. Five theme clusters further supported these categories: speech production, context, speaker identity, listener comfort, and story comprehension. The results showed that listener perceptions within theme clusters varied across the six speech samples. The results also showed that listeners differentially respond to a broad array of information in the speech signal (not simply fluency or disfluency). These findings support Traunmuller’s (1994) modulation theory associated with information that can be obtained from the speech signal. Implications for the treatment of stuttering are also discussed. Educational objectives: The reader will learn (1) how listeners may have multiple and varying perceptual experiences depending upon where along a fluency–disfluency continuum a speech sample is heard; (2) how perceptual experiences are influenced by speaker, listener, and story attributes; and (3) how phenomenological analysis may expand our understanding of multifactorial issues associated with stuttering.

Expansion as a Tool for Adaptation to Amplification

Wide dynamic range compression (WDRC) has been successful at managing recruitment and reducing the discomfort of loud stimuli while making soft speech audible. However, WDRC can contribute to the complaint that hearing aids are noisy and that soft environmental sounds are abnormally loud. This situation can result in annoyance, stress, listener fatigue, and the possibility of a compromised signal-to-noise ratio for soft speech. Audio expansion is a tool that can be used to minimize these complaints. Although audio expansion has been in wide use as a noise reduction tool in telecommunications and professional audio for several decades, its use in hearing aids is comparatively recent. To understand better how expansion can be used to promote listener comfort and adaptation to hearing aid use, this article will present a basic review of expansion parameters. Subsequent sections will examine how expansion has been applied in hearing aids and how it behaves from a clinical standpoint. Finally, the use of expansion in multichannel WDRC hearing aid fittings will be discussed with a view toward improving listening comfort and helping new hearing aid users adapt to amplification.

The effect of four types of filtering on the intelligibility and quality of speech‐in‐noise for hearing‐impaired listeners

A common complaint among hearing aid users is of difficulty in using amplification in noisy situations. In this study, subjective judgments of quality and intelligibility of speech‐in‐noise, as well as speech recognition scores, were obtained from sensorineural listeners through four different filters (1) flat frequency response, (2) a frequency response which places the rms level of the speech at the listener's comfort level, (3) a high‐pass filter in combination with filter ♯2, and (4) a filter designed to keep the noise spectrum parallel to the listener's thresholds for one‐third octave bands of noise. Preliminary results indicate that for individual listeners the four filters were ranked similarly, whether the criterion used was intelligibility or quality. Speech recognition performance was in agreement with subjective judgments of intelligibility. [Work supported by NIHR Grant No. G008302511.]

An interphone system for "hands-free" operation in high ambient noise

A new interphone system has been developed providing a high degree of intelligibility and listener comfort in ambient levels up to 125 dB sound-pressure level. This paper discusses some of the novel electronic features employed, including 1) Automatic Gain Control (AGC) with recovery inhibition to prevent noise pumping during speech pauses, 2) Automatic Level Compensation (ALC) for automatic adjustment of listening level with changing ambient, and 3) highly reliable voice-actuated switching (VOX) at widely varying ambient levels.