Evaluation of Digits-in-Noise Test and Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults Screening in Patients with Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Objective:To explore the clinical evaluation role of the Digits-in-Noise(DIN)test and Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults Screening(HHIA-S)for patients with occupational noise-induced hearing loss and to observe and analyze their application values.Methods:Fifty patients with suspected occupational noise-induced hearing loss were randomly selected from the Department of Otolaryngology at the hospital as the research target.The collection period for the research cases spanned from January 2022 to November 2023,and all patients had a history of noise exposure.The DIN test and HHIA-S were used for hearing examinations,with clinical,comprehensive diagnosis serving as the gold standard to study their diagnostic performance.Results:The compliance rate of the DIN test was 88.00%,the HHIA-S’s compliance rate was 80.00%,and the combined compliance rate was 94.00%.The compliance rate of the DIN test and the combined compliance rates of the patients were statistically significant compared to the clinical gold standard data(P<0.05),while there was no difference between the compliance rate of the HHIA-S and the gold standard(P>0.05).The data shows that the sensitivity of the combined diagnosis is significantly higher than the sensitivity data of the DIN test and HHIA-S examination alone(P<0.05).Its specificity is 100.00%,and the accuracy data of the joint diagnosis in the degree were higher than those of the DIN test alone(P>0.05)and the HHIA-S alone(P<0.05).Conclusion:For patients with occupational noise-induced hearing loss,the joint evaluation of the DIN test and HHIA-S can significantly improve their diagnostic value with high sensitivity and accuracy.

Speech Recognition-Based Automated Visual Acuity Testing with Adaptive Mel Filter Bank

One of the most commonly reported disabilities is vision loss,which can be diagnosed by an ophthalmologist in order to determine the visual system of a patient.This procedure,however,usually requires an appointment with an ophthalmologist,which is both time-consuming and expensive process.Other issues that can arise include a lack of appropriate equipment and trained practitioners,especially in rural areas.Centered on a cognitively motivated attribute extraction and speech recognition approach,this paper proposes a novel idea that immediately determines the eyesight deficiency.The proposed system uses an adaptive filter bank with weighted mel frequency cepstral coefficients for feature extraction.The adaptive filter bank implementation is inspired by the principle of spectrum sensing in cognitive radio that is aware of its environment and adapts to statistical variations in the input stimuli by learning from the environment.Comparative performance evaluation demonstrates the potential of our automated visual acuity test method to achieve comparable results to the clinical ground truth,established by the expert ophthalmologist’s tests.The overall accuracy achieved by the proposed model when compared with the expert ophthalmologist test is 91.875%.The proposed method potentially offers a second opinion to ophthalmologists,and serves as a cost-effective pre-screening test to predict eyesight loss at an early stage.

中文版hearWHO应用程序在听力筛查中的验证

目的验证中文版hearWHO应用程序,一款噪声下数字言语测试工具,在听力筛查中的有效性。方法招募听力正常者12名,听力损失患者92例。所有受试者依次完成纯音听阈测试、声导抗测试以及中文版hearWHO测试。分析双耳PTA0.5~4kHz和hearWHO得分的相关性,采用受试者工作特性曲线及曲线下面积等参数,确定hearWHO得分在最佳诊断截点下的灵敏度和特异度。结果hearWHO得分与较好耳和较差耳纯音听阈均值PTA0.5~4kHz均呈显著负相关性,相关系数分别为-0.552和-0.693(P<0.001)。按PTA0.5~4kHz≥20dBHL为存在听力损失的标准,当hearWHO得分≤60时,提示至少单耳出现听力下降,灵敏度和特异度分别为0.733、0.690;当hearWHO得分≤50时,提示受试者可能存在双耳听力下降,灵敏度和特异度分别为0.815、0.917。结论hearWHO对检出单耳或双耳听力损失的灵敏度和特异度均较高,当hearWHO得分≤60时,提示受试者有必要转诊进行进一步的听力检测及诊断。

普通话噪声接受度追踪测试材料的开发与等价性评估

目的开发普通话噪声接受度追踪(tracking of noise tolerance,TNT)测试材料并进行等价性评估。方法开发6组易于普通大众理解的言语材料(主题分别为日常生活、娱乐、家庭、节日、户外和学校);选取21例听力正常人分别进行6组测试材料的4分钟TNT测试,分别计算获得31~240 s、31~120 s、151~240 s三个时间窗的可容忍噪声水平(tolerable noise level,TNL)和TNT分数。结果听力正常个体间TNL值存在差异(F=43.611,P<0.05)。6组测试材料的标准化(z-scored)分数在三个时间窗内均有统计学差异(P<0.05),事后比较发现,所有的显著性差异结果都涉及家庭和/或日常生活主题。结论本研究开发的娱乐、节日、户外和学校的主题测试材料可作为普通话TNT测试的正式测试材料,可应用于实验研究和临床测试。

智能燃气灶语音识别测试方法研究

随着人工智能的迅速发展,语音识别技术作为一种新型人机交互模式,正逐渐应用于各个行业。智能燃气灶作为语音识别技术在智能家居领域的具体应用之一,由于常规智能家具测试系统缺乏专一性,在语音集、测试环境、测试场地布局等方面,无法满足测试要求。因此,该文在现有家电语音测试方法基础上,针对带有口音的普通话,进行智能燃气灶语音识别测试方法研究,测试方法中明确设备要求、试验环境,并引入正交试验以减少试验次数,为其他智能家具语音识别研究提供参考。

主题统觉测验用于自杀风险识别——基于语音及文本特征的机器学习研究

自杀风险识别是自杀预防的重要环节,但传统的自陈量表筛查存在虚报/漏报率高的局限。通过两步连续实验对主题统觉测验(TAT)进行的改编实现了基于TAT的小程序自助施测方案,并获取音频及文本数据用于机器学习建模,构建了针对自杀意念的自杀风险识别模型。结果发现,在测验耗时更短的情况下,该模型取得了与前人研究相比综合指数更优的模型效果;词频分析及关键词共线网络分析发现高自杀风险组被试在叙述文本中提及了更多与自杀、自伤相关的词汇以及主题,且使用了更多的排除词。经改编后的TAT小程序施测方案流程标准化且施测便捷,后续可收集更多高质量的样本以构建泛化性能更优的模型,应用于自杀风险识别的辅助评估中。

标记测验(Token Test)与左侧大脑半球损害所致的各型失语的关系

本文对 33例左侧大脑半球损害所致的各型失语进行了标记测验的检查 ,同时作了标记测验与汉语失语检查中的是 /否题、听辨认、口头指令、听字辨认、听写、结构与视空间、积木、运用、计算、注意及记忆之间的相关性检验。统计结果表明 :标记测验得分与汉语失语检查法中各项测验之间有极显著的正相关 (P<0 .0 1 ) ,对标记测验成绩与失语严重程度进行了相关性检验 ,统计结果表明有显著相关性 (P<0 .0 5)。本文说明 ,注意、记忆、运用、视空间功能、认知等因素均影响标记测验的成绩 ;标记测验成绩与左侧大脑半球损害所致的失语类型及失语的严重程度有关 ,特别是以口语听理解障碍为主的失语类型 ,标记测验成绩极差。

建筑空间语言清晰度实验设计

将建筑声学设计前沿的语言清晰度STI指标引入建筑学本科实验教学,针对语言类空间开展STI测试,加强学生对概念的理解,达到熟练运用仪器设备进行实测的目标。以华中科技大学建筑与城市规划学院报告厅为对象,开展建筑空间语言清晰度测试实验,将仪器与软件使用、声学现场检测等内容纳入实验教学,并对实验数据和结果进行分析讨论。不同于传统的混响时间测量只是关注纯客观房间内的声传播特性,STI综合考量信噪比、声压级、心理声学效果等,让学生们认识到影响声环境品质更为广泛的作用维度,有利于提高学生在建筑设计创作中对语言清晰度的关注。

耳蜗死区对不同信噪比条件下轻、中度感音神经性听力损失患者言语识别的影响

目的初步探究安静及不同信噪比条件下,有、无耳蜗死区的轻、中度感音神经性听力损失患者的言语识别变化规律,以及不同测试条件下两组患者的言语识别差异。方法通过纯音测听选出符合纳入标准的轻、中度感音神经性听力损失患者44耳,采用均衡噪声阈(threshold equalizing noise,TEN)测试将患者分为非耳蜗死区组24耳和耳蜗死区组20耳。选取汉语(普通话)测听词汇表(Mandarin speech test materials,MSTMs)中单音节词言语测听词表,对两组患者在安静环境和言语谱噪声环境(SNR=6、3、0、-3 dB)下进行言语识别率测试。结果耳蜗死区组患者耳蜗死区1~2个,频率集中在3~4 kHz;两组患者不同测试环境下言语识别率均随信噪比降低而下降(P<0.05);耳蜗死区组患者在各测试条件下言语识别率得分较非耳蜗死区组低,且均有显著差异(P<0.05)。结论无论有无耳蜗死区,轻、中感音神经性听力损失患者的言语识别率均随着信噪比下降呈显著下降的趋势。在本研究各信噪比条件下耳蜗死区组患者的言语识别率均较非耳蜗死区组患者低,对于轻、中度感音神经性听力损失患者开展耳蜗死区测试是必要的。

3岁听障儿童与健听儿童语法、句法能力测试结果分析

目的分析3岁听障儿童与同龄健听儿童语言细节句子测试结果,为提高康复教学效果提供参考依据。方法在康复机构和普通幼儿园选取听障儿童与健听儿童各30例,采用言语听觉反应评估(evaluation of auditory resporse to speech,EARS)中的语言细节句子测试表进行测试,比较两组儿童的句子和词汇水平得分。结果儿童的听力状况对语言细节句子测试得分影响显著(T句子(1,58)=3.36,P<0.01;T词语(1,58)=2.89,P<0.01),健听儿童句子和词汇水平得分(M句子=8.47,M词语=58.23)均显著高于听障儿童(M句子=7.03,M词语=56.63)(P<0.05)。结论与健听儿童相比,语言年龄达到3岁水平的听障儿童句法语法能力滞后,这可能与听障儿童输入性语言信息不足及输入环境有关。康复训练中应加强相应训练,拓展应用到生活场景中。

开展智能语音交互系统能力验证项目的可行性研究

本文通过结合日常生活的需求和研究实验室的发展方向,归纳分析不同标准测试方法的技术要求与特点,得出智能语音交互系统能力验证项目的推出是必要且迫不及待的,在智能语音交互系统中,语音唤醒起着基础支撑作用。它使得系统可以从低功率的监听状态,在检测到特定的唤醒词时快速激活语音识别和处理模块,实现用户指令的识别和响应。因此,语音唤醒的性能直接影响并限制了整个智能语音交互系统的性能。将其作为智能语音交互系统能力验证项目具有非常大的可行性。

基于语音干扰水平的声压测试方法应用分析

为提高人们对语音干扰声压级的认识,正确理解规范对于公共广播系统声压级的要求。对ISO 9921:2003中关于语音干扰声压级的定义及计算方法进行解读,结合实船上对公共广播系统声压测试方法的试验,对广播喇叭在环境噪音和语音干扰水平背景下的声压级数据进行分析。研究表明:基于语音干扰水平的广播声压测试操作便捷、更贴近人体工程学。研究成果可为其他各类船舶或海洋平台上的公共广播系统声压测试提供一定参考。

声场不均匀度及语言清晰度在列车广播系统声品质测试中的研究

列车广播系统是列车与旅客进行信息交互最重要的系统,是列车运行工作的重要组成部分,在列车车辆中占有重要的位置。随着列车设计水平的迅速发展以及人们生活水平的提高,对于广播系统的需求不仅局限于功能实现,还要求广播系统声音质量有着越来越好的表现。文章从列车广播系统测试方法的角度出发,参阅非轨道交通行业相关系统的测试标准及要求,介绍了影响声品质的主要参数,即声场不均匀度和语言清晰度。结合已经完成的列车广播系统测试情况,并考虑轨道交通车辆本身的属性和要求,探讨总结了列车广播系统中声场不均匀度和语言清晰度这两个主要参数应该满足的要求,最后总结了适用于列车环境下测试声场不均匀度和语言清晰度的试验方法,为后续形成统一的测试方法和标准提供了一定研究基础。

基于梅尔频率倒谱系数的语音清晰度DRT识别

语音清晰度在通信终端、设备系统语音识别方面具有重要意义。本文对110dB噪声干扰下采集到的语音信号进行谱减法降噪,双门限端点检测提取发音字段,然后提取梅尔频率倒谱系数(MFCC),再将其进行差分计算,得到一阶和二阶分量,结合短时能量作为语音信号的特征参数,最后通过动态时间归整(DTW)进行相似度识别。实验表明,本文算法对汉语清晰度诊断押韵测试(DRT)字表的测试结果高达92.90%,有良好的识别率。

Replace Psychometric Inferences with Direct Brain Measurements: LORETA Reflects Traditional Cerebral Loci for Neuropsychological Tests

Inferences of subtle cerebral injury and dysfunction have been historically dependent upon psychometric tests from which clinical neuropsychological profiles are generated. In addition to being secondary, over-inclusive and crude indicators of cerebral activity, psychometric tests are subject to economic incentives to “re-norm” traditional methods under the pretense of “ensuring” contemporary representations that are sanctioned by regulating organizations dominated by agendas of control over the interpretations of clinicians. The validity of neuropsychological tests is essential for their perspicacious application and interpretations. We measured the quantitative electroen-cephalographic profiles and calculated s-LORETA (standardized Low Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography) profiles in real time for normal men and women while they engaged in both traditional and novel neuropsychological tests that were employed to infer localized brain injury. Conspicuous alterations in source current density within specific frequency bands occurred within various regions of the right prefrontal region during performance of the Category, Design Fluency and Conditioned Spatial Association Test, the prefrontal medial surface during Toe Graphaesthesia, the caudal medial surface during Toe Gnosis, the left temporal region during Speech-Sounds, and within the right retrosplenial-parahippocampal region for Seashore Rhythms. Results supported the well established regional associations with the classic neuropsychological tests, verified the cerebral localization with more recent procedures, and emphasized the utility of modern real-time, direct cerebral imaging procedures.

Reliability and Content Validity of a Comprehensive Discourse Completion Test of Interlanguage Pragmatics for Academic Situations

The present study aimed at investigating the reliability and content validity of a comprehensive test of Interlanguage Pragmatics （ILP） developed for the academic situations in the Iranian context. To do so, a meta-analysis of 50 articles which had reported on the tests of ILP was done and the criteria required for the selection of the speech acts of academic situations were developed. Then a Multiple-Choice Discourse Completion Test （MDCT） of interlanguage pragmatics was developed and validated through native checked situations and items based on meta-pragmatics procedures. Participants of the study were 50 M.A. students majoring in TEFL （Teaching English as a Foreign Language） studying at Iranian universities as well as 50 native speakers of English. The findings revealed that the test developed enjoyed high internal consistency and content validity. The present findings could contribute to the fields of second language testing and assessment in general and testing interlanguage pragmatics in particular.

Speech and language therapy for aphasia following subacute stroke

The aim of this study was to investigate the time window, duration and intensity of optimal speech and language therapy applied to aphasic patients with subacute stroke in our hospital. The study consisted of 33 patients being hospitalized for stroke rehabilitation in our hospital with first stroke but without previous history of speech and language therapy. Sixteen sessions of impairment-based speech and language therapy were applied to the patients, 30-60 minutes per day, 2 days a week, for 8 successive weeks. Aphasia assess- ment in stroke patients was performed with Giilhane Aphasia Test-2 before and after treatment. Compared with before treatment, fluency of speech, listening comprehension, reading comprehension, oral motor evaluation, automatic speech, repetition and naming were improved after treatment. This suggests that 16 seesions of speech and language therapy, 30-60 minutes per day, 2 days a week, for 8 successive weeks, are effective in the treatment of aphasic patients with subacute stroke.

A Comparison of Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test Scores: With/Without Mouthpiece and with/without Noise

In the present study, the ROCF test was initially conducted involving 30 healthy young individuals, in a quiet environment as Experiment 1 to examine variations in the score among different methods to memorize the figure. In such an environment, no significant differences were observed in the score between the copying and outer speech groups, which suggested the possibility of some of the former groups having used outer speech in a voice too low to be heard or moving their lips without vocalization, achieving the same effect as outer speech, and consequently leading to the absence of differences from the outer speech group. On the other hand, the score markedly varied between the mouthpiece and copying or outer speech groups. As lip movements were suppressed in the former case, the unconscious use of outer speech was also prevented, possibly leading to poor results. Based on these findings, it may be possible to enhance the effects of rehabilitation in a clinical setting by promoting patients’ memorization using outer speech to vocalize the contents of training.

Robust Speech Endpoint Detection in Airplane Cockpit Voice Background

A method of robust speech endpoint detection in airplane cockpit voice background is presented. Based on the analysis of background noise character, a complex Laplacian distribution model directly aiming at noisy speech is established. Then the likelihood ratio test based on binary hypothesis test is carried out. The decision criterion of conventional maximum a posterior incorporating the inter-frame correlation leads to two separate thresholds. Speech endpoint detection decision is finally made depend on the previous frame and the observed spectrum, and the speech endpoint is searched based on the decision. Compared with the typical algorithms, the proposed method operates robust in the airplane cockpit voice background.

宁波方言版噪声下数字三联音测听材料的研发与验证

目的 本研究旨在开发与验证宁波方言版噪声下数字三联音测听(Digit Triplet Test,DTT)材料。方法选取以宁波方言为母语的成年女性诵读0~10共11个数字,经过编制与优化后形成宁波方言版噪声下DTT测听材料。对另外21名听力正常且以宁波方言为母语的青年人分别进行三联音识别率测试及自适应三联音测试,评估宁波方言版DTT的心理测量函数曲线和评估该测试在正常青年人中的测试信度。结果 11个数字全部被纳入到测听材料中,同时被组合成三联音测试项。拟合出的宁波方言版DTT的心理测量函数曲线的斜率为18.3%/dB,自适应模式下的言语识别阈值为-11.8±1.3 dB SNR,测量误差为0.6 dB。结论 本研究标准化开发的宁波方言版噪声下DTT有着良好心理测量函数曲线参数和复测信度。