The use of fast limiting to improve the intelligibility of speech in noise

Kretsinger, Elwood A.; Young, Norton B.

doi:10.1080/03637756009375282

Cited by 14 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…If too much gain is applied, the waveform becomes clipped (in either analogue or digital domains). It has been found that this may slightly enhance intelligibility in some circumstances [243] although [167] shows that a fast limiter is more effective than clipping.…”

Section: Dynamic Amplitude Compressionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The listening talker: A review of human and algorithmic context-induced modifications of speech

Cooke

King

Garnier

et al. 2014

Computer Speech & Language

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International audienceSpeech output technology is finding widespread application, including in scenarios where intelligibility might be compromised - at least for some listeners - by adverse conditions. Unlike most current algorithms, talkers continually adapt their speech patterns as a response to the immediate context of spoken communication, where the type of interlocutor and the environment are the dominant situational factors influencing speech production. Observations of talker behaviour can motivate the design of more robust speech output algorithms. Starting with a listener-oriented categorisation of possible goals for speech modification, this review article summarises the extensive set of behavioural findings related to human speech modification, identifies which factors appear to be beneficial, and goes on to examine previous computational attempts to improve intelligibility in noise. The review concludes by tabulating 46 speech modifications, many of which have yet to be perceptually or algorithmically evaluated. Consequently, the review provides a roadmap for future work in improving the robustness of speech output

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Section: Dynamic Amplitude Compressionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The listening talker: A review of human and algorithmic context-induced modifications of speech

Cooke

King

Garnier

et al. 2014

Computer Speech & Language

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show abstract

“…Speech recognition scores in quiet have been found to be reduced when input levels exceed the clipping threshold in a peak clipping hearing aid, but they remained constant in a compression-limiting hearing aid (Davis et al, 1947;Hudgins et al, 1948). Ludvigsen and Birk-Nielsen (1975), however, found better speech intelligibility using a linear hearing aid in a background of noise while Kretsinger and Young (1960) found the recognition of monosyllables in a background of noise was superior with compression. In studies of the subjective benefit of compression limiting vs. peak clipping, Blegvad (1974) found that only 31% of listeners fitted with both compression-limiting and peak-clipping hearing aids preferred the compression-limiting hearing aid.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Comparison of Three Hearing-Aid Sound-Processing Strategies in a Multiple-Memory Hearing Aid for Adolescents

Christensen¹

1999

Semin Hear

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This study of 12 adolescents, ages 9 to 14 years, evaluated the performance of three different sound-processing strategies within the same hearing aid. These strategies included (1) linear amplification with peak clipping, (2) linear amplification with compression limiting, and (3) wide dynamic range compression. Each strategy was evaluated using objective measures of speech recognition in quiet and in babble after a 2-month wearing period. Following the evaluation of all three strategies, the subjects' hearing aids were programmed with all three strategies in memory that could be accessed via a remote control. The processing strategies were also compared by determining the signal-to-noise ratio for 50% correct identification of words in sentences. Finally, a diary of memory usage was completed to evaluate how successfully adolescents can utilize multiple-memory hearing aids. Results indicated no significant performance differences between the three hearing aid processing strategies on the objective outcome measures. However, subjects reported liking the ability to switch between memories and to use a remote control.

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Compression Amplification in Hearing Aids

Hickson

1994

Am J Audiol

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In this tutorial, the characteristics of compression amplification in analog hearing aids and the experimental results obtained with single- and multichannel compression amplification systems are reviewed. Single-channel compression systems are classified into four broad groups on the basis of their static and dynamic characteristics: compression limiters, syllabic compressors, automatic volume control (AVC) systems, and "others," those with adaptive recovery time (aRT) and dual frontend automatic gain control (AGC) (Moore, 1990; Moore & Glasberg, 1988). Multichannel compression devices have, to date, used a variety of different types of compression, with syllabic compression in each frequency channel being the most popular. Experimental evidence suggests that compression limiting is generally superior to peak clipping as a means of controlling output, except for some individuals with severe to profound hearing loss. There is some evidence that syllabic compression and AVC systems enhance speech perception in quiet compared to conventional linear amplification; however, this improvement is not consistently maintained in the presence of background noise. The majority of recent research has focused on multichannel compression, and favorable results have been obtained with some systems. Research findings about the efficacy of using compression amplification for people with hearing loss have been extremely variable, and possible reasons for this are discussed.

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The use of fast limiting to improve the intelligibility of speech in noise

Cited by 14 publications

References 1 publication

The listening talker: A review of human and algorithmic context-induced modifications of speech

The listening talker: A review of human and algorithmic context-induced modifications of speech

A Comparison of Three Hearing-Aid Sound-Processing Strategies in a Multiple-Memory Hearing Aid for Adolescents

Compression Amplification in Hearing Aids

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