Thresholds and Psychometric Functions of the Individual Spondaic Words

1982 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 586-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lamar L. Young ◽  
Brenda Dudley ◽  
Melissa Byers Gunter

Two experiments were conducted concerning the relative intelligibility of spondaic words. In the first experiment, the 36 spondaic words typically used in clinical settings to determine the Speech-Recognition-Threshold (SRT) were presented to 20 subjects at levels ranging from to 10 to 28 dB SPL. The percentage of persons able to repeat each word was plotted as a function of decibel sound-pressure level to determine (a) the sound-pressure level necessary to yield a 50% response point for each word, and (b) the rate at which each word became intelligible, for example, the slope of the psychometric function. By these two criteria 15 words were found to be homogeneous. In the second experiment, SRTs were obtained on 24 subjects with the full list of 36 words and with the 15 spondaic words that were homogenous with respect to the sound-pressure level necessary for a 50% correct response level and the rate of intelligibility growth. The results demonstrate that the two groups of spondaic words yield equivalent SRTs. The data suggest that an SRT may be determined with 15 spondaic words, which is as valid and accurate as the SRT determined with the entire list of 36 words.

1991 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 628-635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda M. Thibodeau ◽  
Kathryn A. Saucedo

In the absence of national or international electroacoustic standards for the evaluation of Frequency Modulated (FM) amplification systems, it becomes important to know the variability one may expect across similar models. Evaluation of thirty FM systems of the same model obtained from three different educational sites was performed to determine the variability that may occur as a result of the receiver, lapel microphone, or neckloop. There was a range as great as 20 dB in high frequency average saturation sound pressure level and equivalent input noise across receivers, lapel microphones, and neckloops. These results highlight the need for regular electroacoustic monitoring of not only the FM transmitter and receiver, but also the individual components, such as the lapel microphone and the neckloop.


Author(s):  
Henrik Møller

Contours of equal annoyance were determined for pure tones in the frequency range 4 – 31.5 Hz. The curves show a narrowing of the dynamic range of the ear at low frequencies. The same pattern is seen for equal loudness curves, and the results support the theory that the annoyance of infrasound is closely related to the loudness sensation. Annoyance ratings of 1/3 octave noise did not deviate from ratings of pure tones with the same sound pressure level. Combinations of audio and infrasonic noise were in general given a rating close to or slightly above the rating of the most annoying of the individual noise conditions. For infrasound the proposed G1-weighting curve is shown to give values that correlate well with subjective annoyance rating. Values obtained with the G2-curve do not correlate as well. Low audio frequencies are not covered by the G-curves, and it is shown that these are insufficiently covered by the A-curve. Further research is needed in this area.


2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 931-947
Author(s):  
Teresa L. D. Hardy ◽  
Carol A. Boliek ◽  
Daniel Aalto ◽  
Justin Lewicke ◽  
Kristopher Wells ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to identify a set of communication-based predictors (including both acoustic and gestural variables) of masculinity–femininity ratings and (b) to explore differences in ratings between audio and audiovisual presentation modes for transgender and cisgender communicators. Method The voices and gestures of a group of cisgender men and women ( n = 10 of each) and transgender women ( n = 20) communicators were recorded while they recounted the story of a cartoon using acoustic and motion capture recording systems. A total of 17 acoustic and gestural variables were measured from these recordings. A group of observers ( n = 20) rated each communicator's masculinity–femininity based on 30- to 45-s samples of the cartoon description presented in three modes: audio, visual, and audio visual. Visual and audiovisual stimuli contained point light displays standardized for size. Ratings were made using a direct magnitude estimation scale without modulus. Communication-based predictors of masculinity–femininity ratings were identified using multiple regression, and analysis of variance was used to determine the effect of presentation mode on perceptual ratings. Results Fundamental frequency, average vowel formant, and sound pressure level were identified as significant predictors of masculinity–femininity ratings for these communicators. Communicators were rated significantly more feminine in the audio than the audiovisual mode and unreliably in the visual-only mode. Conclusions Both study purposes were met. Results support continued emphasis on fundamental frequency and vocal tract resonance in voice and communication modification training with transgender individuals and provide evidence for the potential benefit of modifying sound pressure level, especially when a masculine presentation is desired.


2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-145
Author(s):  
Yang Zhouo ◽  
Ming Gao ◽  
Suoying He ◽  
Yuetao Shi ◽  
Fengzhong Sun

Based on the basic theory of water droplets impact noise, the generation mechanism and calculation model of the water-splashing noise for natural draft wet cooling towers were established in this study, and then by means of the custom software, the water-splashing noise was studied under different water droplet diameters and water-spraying densities as well as partition water distribution patterns conditions. Comparedwith the water-splashing noise of the field test, the average difference of the theoretical and the measured value is 0.82 dB, which validates the accuracy of the established theoretical model. The results based on theoretical model showed that, when the water droplet diameters are smaller in cooling tower, the attenuation of total sound pressure level of the water-splashing noise is greater. From 0 m to 8 m away from the cooling tower, the sound pressure level of the watersplashing noise of 3 mm and 6 mm water droplets decreases by 8.20 dB and 4.36 dB, respectively. Additionally, when the water-spraying density becomes twice of the designed value, the sound pressure level of water-splashing noise all increases by 3.01 dB for the cooling towers of 300 MW, 600 MW and 1000 MW units. Finally, under the partition water distribution patterns, the change of the sound pressure level is small. For the R s/2 and Rs/3 partition radius (Rs is the radius of water-spraying area), when the water-spraying density ratio between the outer and inner zone increases from 1 to 3, the sound pressure level of water-splashing noise increases by 0.7 dB and 0.3 dB, respectively.


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