Listening Effort With Cochlear Implant Simulations

2013 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 1075-1084 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carina Pals ◽  
Anastasios Sarampalis ◽  
Deniz Başkent
Keyword(s):  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Spectral Resolution ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cognitive Resources ◽  
Visual Response ◽  
Processing Conditions ◽  
Listening Effort ◽  
Dual Task Paradigm ◽  
Spectral Channels

Purpose Fitting a cochlear implant (CI) for optimal speech perception does not necessarily optimize listening effort. This study aimed to show that listening effort may change between CI processing conditions for which speech intelligibility remains constant. Method Nineteen normal-hearing participants listened to CI simulations with varying numbers of spectral channels. A dual-task paradigm combining an intelligibility task with either a linguistic or nonlinguistic visual response-time (RT) task measured intelligibility and listening effort. The simultaneously performed tasks compete for limited cognitive resources; changes in effort associated with the intelligibility task are reflected in changes in RT on the visual task. A separate self-report scale provided a subjective measure of listening effort. Results All measures showed significant improvements with increasing spectral resolution up to 6 channels. However, only the RT measure of listening effort continued improving up to 8 channels. The effects were stronger for RTs recorded during listening than for RTs recorded between listening. Conclusion The results suggest that listening effort decreases with increased spectral resolution. Moreover, these improvements are best reflected in objective measures of listening effort, such as RTs on a secondary task, rather than intelligibility scores or subjective effort measures.

scholarly journals Rapid adaptation to fully intelligible nonnative-accented speech reduces listening effort

2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (9) ◽  
pp. 1431-1443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Violet A Brown ◽  
Drew J McLaughlin ◽  
Julia F Strand ◽  
Kristin J Van Engen
Keyword(s):  
Dual Task ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Spoken Language ◽  
Perceptual Adaptation ◽  
Listening Effort ◽  
Lexical Representations ◽  
Accented Speech ◽  
Weak Evidence ◽  
Processing Cost ◽  
Dual Task Paradigm

In noisy settings or when listening to an unfamiliar talker or accent, it can be difficult to understand spoken language. This difficulty typically results in reductions in speech intelligibility, but may also increase the effort necessary to process the speech even when intelligibility is unaffected. In this study, we used a dual-task paradigm and pupillometry to assess the cognitive costs associated with processing fully intelligible accented speech, predicting that rapid perceptual adaptation to an accent would result in decreased listening effort over time. The behavioural and physiological paradigms provided converging evidence that listeners expend greater effort when processing nonnative- relative to native-accented speech, and both experiments also revealed an overall reduction in listening effort over the course of the experiment. Only the pupillometry experiment, however, revealed greater adaptation to nonnative- relative to native-accented speech. An exploratory analysis of the dual-task data that attempted to minimise practice effects revealed weak evidence for greater adaptation to the nonnative accent. These results suggest that even when speech is fully intelligible, resolving deviations between the acoustic input and stored lexical representations incurs a processing cost, and adaptation may attenuate this cost.

scholarly journals Transient noise reduction in cochlear implant users: a multi-band approach

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl-Heinz Dyballa ◽  
Phillipp Hehrmann ◽  
Volkmar Hamacher ◽  
Thomas Lenarz ◽  
Andreas Buechner
Keyword(s):  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Noise Reduction ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Single Band ◽  
Processing Conditions ◽  
Multiple Frequency ◽  
Speech Processor ◽  
Speech Reception ◽  
Speech Reception Thresholds ◽  
Multi Band

A previously-tested transient noise reduction (TNR) algorithm for cochlear implant (CI) users was modified to detect and attenuate transients independently across multiple frequency-bands. Since speech and transient noise are often spectrally distinct, we hypothesized that benefits in speech intelligibility can be achieved over the earlier single- band design. Fifteen experienced CI users (49 to 72 years) were tested unilaterally using pre-processed stimuli delivered directly to a speech processor. Speech intelligibility in transient and soft stationary noise, subjective sound quality and the recognition of warning signals was investigated in three processing conditions: no TNR (TNRoff), single- band TNR (TNRsgl) and multi-band TNR (TNRmult). Notably, TNRmult improved speech reception thresholds (SRTs) in cafeteria noise and office noise by up to 3 dB over both TNRoff and TNRsgl, and yielded higher comfort and clarity ratings in cafeteria noise. Our results indicate that multi-band transient noise reduction may be advantageous compared to a single-band approach, and reveal a substantial overall potential for TNR to improve speech perception and listening comfort in CI users.

scholarly journals Rapid adaptation to fully intelligible nonnative-accented speech reduces listening effort

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Violet Aurora Brown ◽  
Drew Jordan McLaughlin ◽  
Julia Feld Strand ◽  
Kristin J. Van Engen
Keyword(s):  
Dual Task ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Spoken Language ◽  
Perceptual Adaptation ◽  
Listening Effort ◽  
Lexical Representations ◽  
Accented Speech ◽  
Weak Evidence ◽  
Processing Cost ◽  
Dual Task Paradigm

In noisy settings or when listening to an unfamiliar talker or accent, it may be difficult to recognize spoken language. This difficulty typically results in reductions in speech intelligibility, but may also increase the effort necessary to process the speech. In the current study, we used a dual-task paradigm and pupillometry to assess the cognitive costs associated with processing fully intelligible accented speech, predicting that rapid perceptual adaptation to an accent would result in decreased listening effort over time. Both paradigms revealed greater effort for nonnative- relative to native-accented speech, as well as an overall reduction in listening effort over the course of the experiment, but only the pupillometry experiment revealed greater adaptation to nonnative- relative to native-accented speech. An exploratory analysis of the dual-task data that attempted to minimize practice effects, however, revealed weak evidence for greater adaptation to the nonnative accent. These results suggest that even when speech is fully intelligible, resolving deviations between the acoustic input and stored lexical representations incurs a processing cost, and adaptation may attenuate this cost.

Effects of classroom acoustics on speech intelligibility and response time: A comparison between native and non-native listeners

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Lam ◽  
Murray Hodgson ◽  
Nicola Prodi ◽  
Chiara Visentin
Keyword(s):  
Response Time ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Behavioral Measure ◽  
Cognitive Resources ◽  
Listening Effort ◽  
Speech Reception ◽  
Listening Tests ◽  
Intelligibility Score ◽  
L1 And L2

This study evaluates the speech reception performance of native (L1) and non-native (L2) normal-hearing young adults in acoustical conditions containing varying amounts of reverberation and background noise. Two metrics were used and compared: the intelligibility score and the response time, taken as a behavioral measure of listening effort. Listening tests were conducted in auralized acoustical environments with L1 and L2 English-speaking university students. It was found that even though the two groups achieved the same, close to the maximum accuracy, L2 participants manifested longer response times in every acoustical condition, suggesting an increased involvement of cognitive resources in the speech reception process.

scholarly journals Effect of Spectral Channels on Speech Recognition, Comprehension, and Listening Effort in Cochlear-Implant Users

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 233121652090461
Author(s):  
Carina Pals ◽  
Anastasios Sarampalis ◽  
Andy Beynon ◽  
Thomas Stainsby ◽  
Deniz Başkent
Keyword(s):  
Speech Recognition ◽  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Listening Effort ◽  
Spectral Channels

scholarly journals A modulating circle reduces listening effort and improves spoken word recognition in older adults

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Violet Aurora Brown ◽  
Julia Feld Strand ◽  
Kristin J. Van Engen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Visual Stimulus ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Word Identification ◽  
Spoken Word ◽  
Identification Task ◽  
Listening Effort ◽  
Dual Task Paradigm

Objectives. Perceiving spoken language in noise can be a cognitively demanding task, particularly for older adults and those with hearing impairment. The current research assessed whether an abstract visual stimulus—a circle that modulates with the acoustic amplitude envelope of the speech—can affect speech processing in older adults. We hypothesized that, in line with recent research on younger adults, the circle would reduce listening effort during a word identification task. Given that older adults have slower processing speeds and poorer auditory temporal sensitivity than young adults, we expected that the abstract visual stimulus may have additional benefits for older adults, as it provides another source of information to compensate for limitations in auditory processing. Thus, we further hypothesized that, in contrast to the results from research on young adults, the circle would also improve word identification in noise for older adults.Design. Sixty-five older adults ages 65 to 83 (M = 71.11; SD = 4.01) with age-appropriate hearing completed four blocks of trials: two blocks (one with the modulating circle, one without) with a word identification task in two-talker babble, followed by two more word identification blocks that also included a simultaneous dual-task paradigm to assess listening effort.Results. Relative to an audio-only condition, the presence of the modulating circle substantially reduced listening effort (as indicated by faster responses to the secondary task in the dual-task paradigm) and also moderately improved spoken word intelligibility. Conclusions. Seeing the face of the talker substantially improves spoken word identification, but this is the first demonstration that another form of visual input—an abstract modulating circle—can also provide modest intelligibility benefits and substantial reductions in listening effort. These findings could have clinical or practical applications, as the modulating circle can be generated in real time to accompany speech in noisy situations, thereby improving speech intelligibility and reducing effort or fatigue for individuals who may have particular difficulty recognizing speech in background noise.

Speech intelligibility and listening effort in university classrooms for native and non-native Italian listeners

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 275-291
Author(s):  
Chiara Visentin ◽  
Nicola Prodi ◽  
Francesca Cappelletti ◽  
Simone Torresin ◽  
Andrea Gasparella
Keyword(s):  
Response Time ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Cognitive Resources ◽  
Subjective Ratings ◽  
Listening Effort ◽  
Speech In Noise ◽  
Additional Processing ◽  
Masking Noise ◽  
University Classrooms

Listening effort describes the allocation of attentional and cognitive resources for successful listening. In adverse conditions, the mental demands for listening increase, interfering with other cognitive functions. This is especially relevant in learning spaces, where complex tasks that recruit more cognitive resources (e.g. memorization of information and comprehension) are performed by the students. This study focuses on the case of university classrooms and investigates the effects of different types of masking noise on both speech intelligibility and listening effort. Speech-in-noise tests in the Italian language were presented to 25 young adults with normal hearing (13 native and 12 non-native listeners) within an existing university classroom located in Bozen-Bolzano (Italy). The tests were presented in three listening conditions (quiet, stationary noise, and fluctuating noise), grouping the listeners around two locations within the classroom. The task performance was assessed using both speech intelligibility and two proxy measures of listening effort: response time and subjective ratings of effort. Longer response times and higher subjective ratings were taken to reflect increased listening effort. Results in noisy conditions were compared to the quiet condition. A disadvantage in task accuracy performance was found for non-native compared to native listeners; concerning response time, it was found that when the target signal is masked by a fluctuating noise, additional processing time is requested to non-native listeners compared to their native peers. The interaction was not pointed out by subjective ratings, supporting the hypothesis of a different sensitivity to listening conditions of the two proxy measures of listening effort.

scholarly journals Effectiveness and efficiency of a dedicated bimodal fitting formula

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Domenico Cuda ◽  
Alessandra Murri ◽  
Anna Mainardi ◽  
Josef Chalupper
Keyword(s):  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Sound Quality ◽  
Residual Hearing ◽  
Listening Effort ◽  
Subject Specific ◽  
Contralateral Ear ◽  
Effectiveness And Efficiency ◽  
Localization Ability

The population of unilateral cochlear implant (CI) users with aidable residual hearing in the contralateral ear is continuously growing. Aiding the contralateral ear with a hearing aid has been shown to provide substantial benefit regarding speech intelligibility in quiet and in noise, sound quality, localization ability and listening effort. In this study, a dedicated hearing aid with the accompanying fitting prescription, tailored to the needs of bimodal listeners was evaluated in nine bimodal CI users. Speech intelligibility scores in noise revealed on-par performance of the dedicated bimodal fitting compared to the clinical standard prescription. 78% of the bimodal CI users preferred the dedicated bimodal fitting over the clinical standard. The minimal subject-specific finetuning effort required during the dedicated bimodal fitting process emphasizes the clinical efficiency.

The Contribution of a Frequency-Compression Hearing Aid to Contralateral Cochlear Implant Performance

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (02) ◽  
pp. 105-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann E. Perreau ◽  
Ruth A. Bentler ◽  
Richard S. Tyler
Keyword(s):  
Speech Perception ◽  
Cochlear Implant ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Vowel Perception ◽  
Frequency Compression ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Background: Frequency-lowering signal processing in hearing aids has re-emerged as an option to improve audibility of the high frequencies by expanding the input bandwidth. Few studies have investigated the usefulness of the scheme as an option for bimodal users (i.e., combined use of a cochlear implant and a contralateral hearing aid). In this study, that question was posed. Purpose: The purposes of this study were (1) to determine if frequency compression was a better bimodal option than conventional amplification and (2) to determine the impact of a frequency-compression hearing aid on speech recognition abilities. Research Design: There were two separate experiments in this study. The first experiment investigated the contribution of a frequency-compression hearing aid to contralateral cochlear implant (CI) performance for localization and speech perception in noise. The second experiment assessed monaural consonant and vowel perception in quiet using the frequency-compression and conventional hearing aid without the use of a contralateral CI or hearing aid. Study Sample: Ten subjects fitted with a cochlear implant and hearing aid participated in the first experiment. Seventeen adult subjects with a cochlear implant and hearing aid or two hearing aids participated in the second experiment. To be included, subjects had to have a history of postlingual deafness, a moderate or moderate-to-severe hearing loss, and have not worn this type of frequency-lowering hearing aid previously. Data Collection and Analysis: In the first experiment, performance using the frequency-compression and conventional hearing aids was assessed on tests of sound localization, speech perception in a background of noise, and two self-report questionnaires. In the second experiment, consonant and vowel perception in quiet was assessed monaurally for the two conditions. In both experiments, subjects alternated daily between a frequency-compression and conventional hearing aid for 2 mo. The parameters of frequency compression were set individually for each subject, and audibility was measured for the frequency compression and conventional hearing aid programs by comparing estimations of the Speech Intelligibility Index (SII) using a modified algorithm (Bentler et al, 2011). In both experiments, the outcome measures were administered following the hearing aid fitting to assess performance at baseline and after 2 mo of use. Results: For this group of subjects, the results revealed no significant difference between the frequency-compression and conventional hearing aid on tests of localization and consonant recognition. Spondee-in-noise and vowel perception scores were significantly higher with the conventional hearing aid compared to the frequency-compression hearing aid after 2 mo of use. Conclusions: These results suggest that, for the subjects in this study, frequency compression is not a better bimodal option than conventional amplification. In addition, speech perception may be negatively influenced by frequency compression because formant frequencies are too severely compressed and can no longer be distinguished.

scholarly journals A Comparison of Two Methods for Measuring Listening Effort As Part of an Audiologic Test Battery

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 419-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jani Johnson ◽  
Jingjing Xu ◽  
Robyn Cox ◽  
Paul Pendergraft
Keyword(s):  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Word Recall ◽  
Signal To Noise ◽  
Listening Effort ◽  
Testing Protocol ◽  
Audiologic Testing ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Report Measure

Purpose We evaluated 2 measures of listening effort (a self-report measure and a word recall measure) regarding their suitability for inclusion in a comprehensive audiologic testing protocol. The relationship between the 2 measures was explored, and both measures were examined with regard to validity, sensitivity, and effect on speech intelligibility performance. Method Thirty adults with normal hearing participated. Speech intelligibility performance was evaluated at 4 signal-to-noise ratios by using keywords embedded in both high- and low-context sentences. Listening effort was evaluated at set intervals throughout the speech intelligibility task. Results Results obtained with the 2 measures were consistent with expected changes in listening effort. However, data obtained with the self-report method demonstrated greater sensitivity to these changes. The 2 measures were uncorrelated. Under certain conditions, speech intelligibility performance was more negatively affected when the word recall measure was used. Exploration of additional theoretical and practical considerations supported a conclusion that the self-report measure was preferable for measuring listening effort simultaneously with speech intelligibility. Conclusion The results of this study provide a rationale for preferring the self-report measure of listening effort over the word recall measure when testing audiologic outcomes.

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