Effects of Temporal Alterations on Speech Intelligibility in Parkinsonian Dysarthria

1994 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 244-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicki L. Hammen ◽  
Kathryn M. Yorkston ◽  
Fred D. Minifie
Keyword(s):  
Signal Processing ◽  
Digital Signal Processing ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Digital Signal ◽  
Speaking Rate ◽  
Speech Signals ◽  
Idiopathic Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Rate Condition ◽  
Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Dysarthric Speech

The effect of two types of temporal alterations, paced and synthetic, on the intelligibility of parkinsonian dysarthric speech was investigated. Six speakers with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease served as subjects. Paced temporal alterations were created by slowing each speaker to 60% of his/her habitual speaking rate. The synthetic alterations were created by modifying the habitual rate speech samples using digital signal processing. Three types of synthetic alterations were examined: Pause Altered, Speech Duration Altered, and Pause and Speech Duration Altered. The 60% of habitual speaking rate condition was more intelligible than the synthetic conditions. In addition, none of the synthetic alterations were found to be more intelligible than samples produced at habitual speaking rates. The results suggest that simple alterations of speech signals do not explain the differences in intelligibility that have been observed when parkinsonian dysarthric speakers reduce speaking rates. Reasons for the failure of synthetic alterations to increase speech intelligibility scores are discussed.

The Importance of Consonant-Vowel Intensity Ratio in the Intelligibility of Voiceless Consonants

1989 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 524-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard L. Freyman ◽  
G. Patrick Nerbonne
Keyword(s):  
Signal Processing ◽  
Digital Signal Processing ◽  
Intensity Ratio ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Digital Signal ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Per Se

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent to which variations in the consonant-vowel (C-V) intensity ratio could account for variations in speech intelligibility among the productions of 10 talkers. Fifty normal-hearing individuals listened in noise to syllables consisting of voiceless consonants followed by the vowel // under three conditions in which: (a) C-V ratio varied naturally as produced by the talkers, and the stimuli were calibrated according to vowel intensity; (b) C-V ratios were increased and equated via digital signal processing; and (c) C-V ratios were unmodified, but the syllables were calibrated according to consonant level rather than vowel level. Results indicated that variations in C-V ratio explained a great deal of the variation in the intelligibility of some consonants (/s, ∫, t∫/) but not others (the voiceless stops). This difference may well be due to differences in audibility between the two groups of consonants when they are presented at similar consonant-to-noise ratios. The majority of the data suggest that the importance of C-V ratio is related to the intensity of consonants but is independent of the ratio per se between consonant and vowel levels.

Method of estimation of hidden correlation of narrowband noise signals

2019 ◽  
pp. 34-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.I. Chernov ◽  
N.E. Sobolev ◽  
A.A. Bondarchuk ◽  
L.E. Aristarhova
Keyword(s):  
Signal Processing ◽  
Digital Signal Processing ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Digital Signal ◽  
Measuring Instruments ◽  
Central Frequency ◽  
Pearson Criterion ◽  
Useful Signal ◽  
Band Limited ◽  
Narrowband Noise

The concept of hidden correlation of noise signals is introduced. The existence of a hidden correlation between narrowband noise signals isolated simultaneously from broadband band-limited noise is theoretically proved. A method for estimating the latent correlation of narrowband noise signals has been developed and experimentally investigated. As a result of the experiment, where a time frag ent of band-limited noise, the basis of which is shot noise, is used as the studied signal, it is established: when applying the Pearson criterion, there is practically no correlation between the signal at the Central frequency and the sum of signals at mirror frequencies; when applying the proposed method for the analysis of the same signals, a strong hidden correlation is found. The proposed method is useful for researchers, engineers and metrologists engaged in digital signal processing, as well as developers of measuring instruments using a new technology for isolating a useful signal from noise – the method of mirror noise images.

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