Modulation-Based Digital Noise Reduction for Application to Hearing Protectors to Reduce Noise and Maintain Intelligibility

Chung, Ki Sup; Tufts, Jennifer B.; Nelson, Lance

doi:10.1177/0018720809333083

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…In this paper, we propose the calculation of a short-term statistical assessment of the temporal envelope within different frequency bands. Extracting features from the temporal envelope has been widely used for hearing aids to detect the presence of speech and decide when gain should be reduced [13], [14], [15]. The VAD's decision is made after multiple observations using two thresholds in addition to a hangover scheme to take into consideration "long time" information, knowing that speech signals are highly time-correlated [16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A low-complexity voice activity detector for smart hearing protection of hyperacusic persons

2013

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In this paper, a Voice Activity Detector (VAD) is proposed for smart hearing protection applications where speech is to get through the hearing protector while ambient noise is to be blocked out. The VAD calculates a short-term statistical assessment of the temporal envelopes within different frequency bands. This assessment uses the Inter-Quartile Range (IQR) and reflects the dispersion of the envelopes' magnitudes. The VAD's decision is made using two threshold comparison rules and a hangover scheme triggered after a given number of observations. These four parameters have been optimized off-line using a genetic algorithm approach. The performance of the proposed VAD is compared to Sohn's VAD using a database of 90 speech signals corrupted by five real-world noise environments at Signal-to-Noise ratios (SNR) varying from 0 to +10 dB. Results show that the proposed VAD performs better than Sohn's VAD with an 85.9% (compared to 77.5%) F1 score averaged across all SNRs and also minimizes by a factor of three the mid-speech clipping rate. In addition, the evaluation of the proposed VAD's computational cost shows that its implementation on-board a low-power low-consumption DSP is very feasible and would enable smart hearing protection for hypersensitive persons.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A low-complexity voice activity detector for smart hearing protection of hyperacusic persons

2013

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“…The HAs that performed best in terms of listener preference had the worst speech intelligibility scores. Chung et al (2009) evaluated a modulationbased digital NR algorithm in terms of sound quality and speech intelligibility with several background noise types. Their study with 16 normal-hearing (NH) listeners showed that listeners preferred NR even when speech intelligibility was the same.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The HAs that performed best in terms of listener preference had the worst speech intelligibility scores. Chung et al. (2009) evaluated a modulation-based digital NR algorithm in terms of sound quality and speech intelligibility with several background noise types.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring the Influence of Noise Reduction on Listening Effort in Hearing-Impaired Listeners Using Response Times to an Arithmetic Task in Noise

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Ronde-Brons

Houben³

et al. 2021

Trends in Hearing

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Single microphone noise reduction (NR) in hearing aids can provide a subjective benefit even when there is no objective improvement in speech intelligibility. A possible explanation lies in a reduction of listening effort. Previously, we showed that response times (a proxy for listening effort) to an auditory-only dual-task were reduced by NR in normal-hearing (NH) listeners. In this study, we investigate if the results from NH listeners extend to the hearing-impaired (HI), the target group for hearing aids. In addition, we assess the relevance of the outcome measure for studying and understanding listening effort. Twelve HI subjects were asked to sum two digits of a digit triplet in noise. We measured response times to this task, as well as subjective listening effort and speech intelligibility. Stimuli were presented at three signal-to-noise ratios (SNR; –5, 0, +5 dB) and in quiet. Stimuli were processed with ideal or nonideal NR, or unprocessed. The effect of NR on response times in HI listeners was significant only in conditions where speech intelligibility was also affected (–5 dB SNR). This is in contrast to the previous results with NH listeners. There was a significant effect of SNR on response times for HI listeners. The response time measure was reasonably correlated ( R142 = 0.54) to subjective listening effort and showed a sufficient test–retest reliability. This study thus presents an objective, valid, and reliable measure for evaluating an aspect of listening effort of HI listeners.

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“…In contrast, the results of sound quality rating comparisons between with the activation of DNR are varied. Some researchers have reported a significant and strong preference for DNR in noisy contexts (e.g., Chung, Tufts, & Nelson, 2009;Ricketts & Hornsby, 2005). Others did not find any significant differences between the DNR on and off in terms of sound quality ratings (e.g., Alcantara et al, 2003;Bentler et al, 2008).…”

Section: Digital Noise Reduction (Dnr)mentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of bilateral gain reduction on localization and speech perception in spatially-separated noise

Ou¹

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Modulation-Based Digital Noise Reduction for Application to Hearing Protectors to Reduce Noise and Maintain Intelligibility

Abstract: MB-DNR algorithms potentially could be incorporated into HPDs to enhance performance and increase user acceptance.

Cited by 7 publications

References 31 publications

A low-complexity voice activity detector for smart hearing protection of hyperacusic persons

A low-complexity voice activity detector for smart hearing protection of hyperacusic persons

Measuring the Influence of Noise Reduction on Listening Effort in Hearing-Impaired Listeners Using Response Times to an Arithmetic Task in Noise

The impact of bilateral gain reduction on localization and speech perception in spatially-separated noise

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