Speech intelligibility and auditory perception of pre-school children with Hearing Aid,cochlear implant and Typical Hearing

Purpose:There is a growing interest in speech intelligibility and audito ry perception of deaf children.The aim of the present study was to compare speech intelligibility and auditory perception of pre-school children with Hearing Aid(HA),Cochlear Implant(Cl),and Typical Hearing(TH).Methods:The research design was descriptive-analytic and comparative.The participants comprised 75 male pre-school children aged 4-6 years in the 2017-2018 from Tehran,Iran.The participants were divided into three groups,and each group consisted of 25 children.The first and second groups were respectively selected from pre-school children with HA and CI using the convenience sampling method,while the third group was selected from pre-school children with TH by random sampling method.All children completed Speech Intelligibility Rating and Catego ries of Auditory Performance Questionnaires.Results:The findings indicated that the mean scores of speech intelligibility and auditory perception of the group with TH were significantly higher than those of the other groups(P<0.0001).The mean scores of speech intelligibility in the group with CI did not significantly differ from those of the group with HA(P<0.38).Also,the mean scores of auditory perception in the group with CI were significantly higher than those of the group with HA(P<0.002).Conclusion:The results showed that auditory perception in children with CI was significantly higher than children with HA.This finding highlights the importance of cochlear implantation at a younger age and its significant impact on auditory perception in deaf children.

Speech Intelligibility Enhancement Algorithm Based on Multi-Resolution Power-Normalized Cepstral Coefficients(MRPNCC)for Digital Hearing Aids

Speech intelligibility enhancement in noisy environments is still one of the major challenges for hearing impaired in everyday life.Recently,Machine-learning based approaches to speech enhancement have shown great promise for improving speech intelligibility.Two key issues of these approaches are acoustic features extracted from noisy signals and classifiers used for supervised learning.In this paper,features are focused.Multi-resolution power-normalized cepstral coefficients(MRPNCC)are proposed as a new feature to enhance the speech intelligibility for hearing impaired.The new feature is constructed by combining four cepstrum at different time–frequency(T–F)resolutions in order to capture both the local and contextual information.MRPNCC vectors and binary masking labels calculated by signals passed through gammatone filterbank are used to train support vector machine(SVM)classifier,which aim to identify the binary masking values of the T–F units in the enhancement stage.The enhanced speech is synthesized by using the estimated masking values and wiener filtered T–F unit.Objective experimental results demonstrate that the proposed feature is superior to other comparing features in terms of HIT-FA,STOI,HASPI and PESQ,and that the proposed algorithm not only improves speech intelligibility but also improves speech quality slightly.Subjective tests validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm for hearing impaired.

Obstacles for Chinese EFL Learners to Improve Speech Intelligibility

As the primary means of communication,speech is an essential aspect for humans to interact and build connections in the social world.Speech intelligibility is critical in social communication;unintelligibility may lead to confusion,misunderstanding,and frustration.Many Chinese learners of English find it challenging to apply English into social interaction and reach mutual intelligibility with international communicators.This article analyzes the obstacles impeding Chinese EFL learners’speech intelligibility development,from the aspects of phonology(segmental and suprasegmental features)and pragmatics.Some strategies are proposed to help Chinese learners ameliorate phonology and pragmatics problems and improve speech intelligibility in English communication.

A computational model for assessment of speech intelligibility in informational masking

The existing auditory computational mod- els for evaluating speech intelligibility can only account for energetic masking, and the effect of informational masking is rarely described in these models. This study was aimed to make a computational model considering the mechanism of informational masking. Several psy- choacoustic experiments were conducted to test the ef- fect of informational masking on speech intelligibility by manipulating the number of masking talker, speech rate, and the similarity of F0 contour between target and masker. The results showed that the speech recep- tion threshold for the target increased as the F0 contours of the masker became more similar to that of the tar- get, suggesting that the difficulty in segregating the tar- get harmonics from the masker harmonics may underlie the informational masking effect. Based on these stud- ies, a new auditory computational model was made by inducing the auditory function of harmonic extraction to the traditional model of speech intelligibility index （SII）, named as harmonic extraction （HF） model. The predictions of the HF model are highly consistent with the experimental results.

The influence of dummy head on measuring speech intelligibility

In order to investigate the influence of dummy head on measuring speech intelligi- bility, the objective and subjective speech intelligibility evaluation experiments were respectively carried out for different spatial configurations of a target source and a noise source in the horizontal plane. The differences between standard STIPA measured without a dummy head and binaural STIPA measured with a dummy head were compared and the correlation of subjective speech intelligibility and objective STIPA was analyzed. It is showed that the position of sound source affects significantly on binaural STIPA and subjective intelligibility measured by a dummy head or measured in a real-life scenario. The standard STIPA is closer to the lower value of the two binaural STIPA values. The speech intelligibility is higher for a single ear which is on the same side with the target source or on the other side of the noise source. Binaural speech intelligibility is always the lowest when both target and noise sources are at the same place but once apart the speech intelligibility will increase sharply. It is also found that the subjective intelligibility measured by a dummy head or measured in a real-life scenario is uncorrelated with standard STIPA, but correlated highly with STIPA measured with a dummy head. The subjective intelligibility of one single ear is correlated highly with STIPA measured at the same ear, and the binaural speech intelligibility is in well agreement with the higher value of the two binaural STIPA values.

Primary discussion on speech intelligibility of Chinese and the speech transmission index

The relation between the speech intelligibility of Chinese and the speech transmission index (STI)is discussed, which is based on some useful properties of the modulation transfer function (MTF)and the result obtained by articulation tests under different signal-to-noise ratios.

Investigation of hearing aid users'speech understanding in noise and their spectral-temporal resolution skills

Purpose:Our study aims to compare speech understanding in noise and spectral-temporal resolution skills with regard to the degree of hearing loss,age,hearing aid use experience and gender of hearing aid users.Methods:Our study included sixty-eight hearing aid users aged between 40-70 years,with bilateral mild and moderate symmetrical sensorineural hearing loss.Random gap detection test,Turkish matrix test and spectral-temporally modulated ripple test were implemented on the participants with bilateral hearing aids.The test results acquired were compared statistically according to different variables and the correlations were examined.Results:No statistically significant differences were observed for speech-in-noise recognition,spectraltemporal resolution among older and younger adults in hearing aid users(p>0.05).There wasn’t found a statistically significant difference among test outcomes as regards different hearing loss degrees(p>0.05).Higher performances were obtained in terms of temporal resolution in male participants and participants with more hearing aid use experience(p<0.05).Significant correlations were obtained between the results of speech-in-noise recognition,temporal resolution and spectral resolution tests performed with hearing aids(p<0.05).Conclusion:Our study findings emphasized the importance of regular hearing aid use and it showed that some auditory skills can be improved with hearing aids.Observation of correlations among the speechin-noise recognition,temporal resolution and spectral resolution tests have revealed that these skills should be evaluated as a whole to maximize the patient’s communication abilities.

Clinical Study on Improving Articulation Clarity in Spastic Cerebral Palsy with 120 Cases of Oral-Facial Acupressure Combined with Oral Placement Therapy

Objective:To observe the efficacy of oral-facial acupressure combined with oral placement therapy(OPT)in improving articulation clarity in 120 children with spastic cerebral palsy,and to explore effective therapeutic solutions for speech disorders associated with spastic cerebral palsy.Methods:A total of 120 children with spastic cerebral palsy and speech disorders,meeting the inclusion criteria,were randomly assigned into two groups:60 cases in the treatment group and 60 cases in the control group.The treatment group received orofacial acupressure combined with OPT,while the control group received only OPT.The Oral Motor Function Assessment Scale(OMFAS),developed by the China Rehabilitation Research Centre(CRRC),was used to evaluate the treatment outcomes before and after the intervention.Results:After the treatment,both the treatment and control groups showed improved mobility of the mandible,lips,and tongue.However,the treatment group exhibited significantly better improvement than the control group,with the difference between the two groups being statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Oral-facial acupressure combined with OPT can effectively improve articulation clarity in children with spastic cerebral palsy.This combined therapy is recommended for clinical promotion and application.

ACOUSTICAL EVALUATION OF SIX‘GREEN’OFFICE BUILDINGS

To explain the reactions of the building occupants to their acoustical environments,meetings with the designers,walk-through surveys,and detailed acoustical measurements were done.The objective was to determine how design decisions affect office acoustical environments,and how to improve the acoustical design of‘green’office buildings.Design-performance criteria were established.Measurements were made of noise level,reverberation time,speechintelligibility index(SII),and noise isolation.Noise levels were atypically low in unoccupied buildings with no mechanical ventilation,but excessive in areas near external walls next to noisy external noise sources—especially with windows open for ventilation—and in occupied buildings.Reverberation times were excessive in areas with large volumes and insufficient sound absorption.Speech intelligibility was generally adequate,but speech privacy was inadequate in shared and open-office areas,and into private offices with the doors open for ventilation.Improvement of the acoustical design of‘green’buildings must include increasing the external-internal noise isolation and that between workplaces,and the use of adequate sound absorption to control reverberation and noise.

Hidden Hearing Loss: Causes, Current Knowledge, and Future Directions

Introduction: Hidden hearing loss (HHL) is a type of auditory disorder that affects the auditory neural processing and hearing sensitivity in subjects with normal hearing thresholds. Unlike central auditory processing disorders, HHL happens when the cochlea (the peripheral auditory organ) is affected. There are several known risk factors to HHL which includes noise exposure, ototoxic drugs, and peripheral neuropathies, and age. Recent studies have shed light on this type of hearing loss, its etiology, prevalence, and how it can affect the auditory acuity in humans. Methods: This paper covers the current research regarding HHL, its causes, the different mechanisms involved in this disorder, and the diagnosis and potential treatments related to it. We will delve deeply into different researches concerning HHL. 4 articles from 285 were selected focusing on normal hearing individuals with bad speech intelligibility were discussed in this paper. In addition, articles discussing the effects of noise exposure on hearing impaired individuals were not considered as this study solely aims to focus on normal hearing sensitivity individuals with HHL, resulting in 4 articles from 285. Results: Numerous literatures over the decades have suggested that HHL is due to the degeneration of cochlear ribbon synapses, or hair cells synapses without hair cell damage. Their association with HHL was noted several times through this study, whether we were studying the effect of noise exposure, of age, or of ototoxicity. In all cases, no significant hair cell damage was observed, and normal thresholds were recovered. However, a decline in the amplitude of Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) peak I from auditory nerve (AN) responses in noise exposed subjects and a decline in compound action potential (CAP) was measured when certain drugs were applied to the round window of Guinea pigs. Conclusion: Most studies, have proven that cochlear synaptophysin is the major contributor to noise induced, age, and ototoxic related HHL. There are several audiometric tests that were used to help identify HHL including Puretone audiometry in background noise, ABR, CAP, Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission (DPOAE).

Home-based Early Intervention on Auditory and Speech Development in Mandarin-speaking Deaf Infants and Toddlers with Chronological Aged 7-24 Months

Background：Early auditory and speech development in home-based early intervention of infants and toddlers with hearing loss younger than 2 years are still spare in China.This study aimed to observe the development of auditory and speech in deaf infants and toddlers who were fitted with hearing aids and/or received cochlear implantation between the chronological ages of 7-24 months,and analyze the effect of chronological age and recovery time on auditory and speech development in the course of home-based early intervention.Methods：This longitudinal study included 55 hearing impaired children with severe and profound binaural deafness,who were divided into Group A （7-12 months）,Group B （13-18 months） and Group C （19-24 months） based on the chronological age.Categories auditory performance （CAP） and speech intelligibility rating scale （SIR） were used to evaluate auditory and speech development at baseline and 3,6,9,12,18,and 24 months of habilitation.Descriptive statistics were used to describe demographic features and were analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance.Results：With 24 months of hearing intervention,78% of the patients were able to understand common phrases and conversation without lip-reading,96% of the patients were intelligible to a listener.In three groups,children showed the rapid growth of trend features in each period of habilitation.CAP and SIR scores have developed rapidly within 24 months after fitted auxiliary device in Group A,which performed much better auditory and speech abilities than Group B （P 〈 0.05） and Group C （P 〈 0.05）.Group B achieved better results than Group C,whereas no significant differences were observed between Group B and Group C （P 〉 0.05）.Conclusions：The data suggested the early hearing intervention and home-based habilitation benefit auditory and speech development.Chronological age and recovery time may be major factors for aural verbal outcomes in hearing impaired children.The development of auditory and speech in hearing impaired children may be relatively crucial in the first year＆#39;s habilitation after fitted with the auxiliary device.

Optimisation design and verification of the acoustic environment for multimedia classrooms in universities based on simulation

The acoustic environment of the classroom is one of the most important factors influencing the teaching and learning effects of the teacher and students.It is critical to ensure good speech intelligibility in classrooms.However,due to some factors,it may not be easy to achieve an ideal classroom acoustic environment,especially in large-scale multimedia classrooms.In a real renovation project of 39 multimedia classrooms in a university,seven typical rooms were selected,and the acoustic environment optimisation design and verification for these multimedia classrooms were performed based on simulation.First,the acoustic and sound reinforcement design schemes were determined based on the room acoustics software ODEON.Next,the effects of the optimisation design were analysed,and the simulated and measured results were compared;the accuracy of using the reduced sound absorption coefficients,which were determined empirically,was also examined.Finally,the recommended reverberation times(RTs)in multimedia classrooms corresponding to speech intelligibility were discussed,the effectiveness of the speech transmission index(STI)as a primary parameter for classroom acoustic environment control was considered,and the acoustic environment under the unoccupied and occupied statuses was compared.The results revealed that although there are many factors influencing the effect of classroom acoustic environment control,an adequate result can be expected on applying the appropriate method.Considering both the acoustic design and visual requirements also makes the classroom likely to have a good visual effect in addition to having a good listening environment.

Acoustic improvement on two lecture auditoria： Simulation and experiment

Based on the commonly used indicators for speech intelligibility, this work acoustically evaluates the two largest auditoria in the Faculty of Engineering, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt, using experimental and digital simulation techniques. Design treatments were also suggested to improve the acoustic performance of the auditoria, where the impact of these treatments was checked using the simutation as well. The models that were analysed using the CATT-software were first validated utilizing the results of the fietd work in the unoccupied rooms. The results showed that the acoustic quality of the two auditoria are far from the optimal conditions due to their improper acoustic characteristics and the high noise revers as weft. The results of improvement proposals showed that altering the ceiling shape and adding efficient absorptive materials to the rear surfaces successfully reduced the excessive reverberation time to the optimal values, increased the earty reflections and eliminated the shadow zones. In addition, decreasing the noise Levels by 20 dB due to improving the window insulation noticeably improved the speech intelligibitity at all receivers.