Nearly all of the pure-tone average-spondee threshold differences in functional hearing loss are attributable to references for calibration for 0 dB HL for tones and speech, which are based on detection and recognition, respectively. The recognition threshold for spondees is roughly 9 dB higher than the speech detection threshold; persons feigning a loss, who base loss magnitude on loudness, do not consider this difference. Furthermore, the dynamic loudness model was more accurate than the static model.
The finding of errors between talkback versus writedown scoring of lists for all of the examiners, even with visual cues, suggests a need for modification of the clinical word-recognition procedure for applications that potentially affect diagnosis, rehabilitation choices, or financial compensation.
The main goal of the present study was to assess the role of the fundamental frequency (F0) range on the clear-speech benefit. Conversational- and clear-speech sentences were recorded for four male speakers: the speakers' clear-speech productions had slower speaking rates, wider F0 range, more high-frequency energy, expanded vowel space, and higher vocal intensity level relative to their conversational-speech productions. To examine if F0 range contributes to the clear-speech benefit, the F0 range of clear-speech sentences was compressed to match that of the speakers' conversational-speech sentences. Fifteen listeners were presented with conversational, clear, and F0-compressed sentences in sustained speech-shaped noise. All talkers elicited substantial intelligibility benefits (keyword percent correct) from clear and F0-compressed speech when compared with conversational speech. There was no significant difference in performance between clear and F0-compressed speech. These results leave open the possibility that a clear-speech benefit could be a result of its F0 contours rather than its wide F0 range. Intelligibility predictions based on acoustic characteristics of clear speech, specifically high-frequency emphasis and pauses, accounted for either small or negligible amounts of the clear-speech benefit.
The current ANSI standard (ANSI S3.4, 2007) estimates the loudness of sustained sound, but many naturally occurring sounds have time-varying levels. Glasberg and Moore (2002) published a model for the prediction of time-varying sounds and this aspect should be considered as part of a revision to the ANSI standard. To assess the predictions of the dynamic model, loudness magnitude estimation functions were obtained for 24 listeners using pure tones (0.5 and 1.0 kHz), vowels, spondees, and speech-shaped noise (SSN) presented at levels from 40 to 90 dB SPL. Inferred equal-loudness levels from the fitted loudness functions were compared to the model predictions. The loudness model was qualitatively consistent with the behavioral data. The model predicted SSN to be louder than vowels and spondees which would be louder than tones; however, the model over-predicted the loudness differences. Possible explanations for the over-prediction include biases in loudness judgments, cognitive factors regarding learned expectations for loudness, assumptions regarding the free-field-to-headphone transfer function, and the model’s over-prediction of spectral, loudness summation, a result found recently (Schlittenlacher et al., 2014) for the ANSI standard and DIN 45631.
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