Localization of a Speech Target in Nondirectional and Directional Noise as a Function of Sensation Level

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim S. Abouchacra ◽  
Tomasz Letowski
Keyword(s):  
Sensation Level

Children's Performance on a Binaural Fusion Task

1981 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 520-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce L. Plakke ◽  
Daniel J. Orchik ◽  
Daniel S. Beasley
Keyword(s):  
Enhancement Effect ◽  
Sensation Level ◽  
Large Measure ◽  
Filter Bandwidth ◽  
Research Results ◽  
Presentation Modes ◽  
Monosyllabic Words ◽  
Better Than

Binaural auditory fusion of 108 children (4, 6, and 8 years old) was studied using three lists of monosyllabic words (WIPI) presented at two sensation levels (30 and 40 dB). The words were processed to produce three bandwidth conditions (100, 300, 600 Hz) and were administered via three presentation modes (binaural fusion 1, diotic, binaural fusion 2). Results showed improved discrimination scores with increasing age, sensation level, and filter bandwidth. Diotic scores were better than binaural fusion scores for the narrower bandwidth conditions, but the diotic enhancement effect was seriously compromised in the widest bandwidth (600 Hz) condition. The results confirmed the contention that prior research results were equivocal due, in large measure, to procedural variability. Methods for reducing such variability and enhancing the clinical viability of binaural fusion tasks are suggested.

The Effects of Variable-Interval and Fixed-Interval Signal Presentation Schedules on the Auditory Evoked Response

1969 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 199-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Nelson ◽  
Frank M. Lassman ◽  
Richard L. Hoel
Keyword(s):  
Variable Interval ◽  
Tone Burst ◽  
Signal Amplitude ◽  
Fixed Interval ◽  
Interval Schedule ◽  
Sensation Level ◽  
Fixed Interval Schedule ◽  
Auditory Evoked Responses ◽  
Auditory Evoked Response ◽  
Signal Presentation

Averaged auditory evoked responses to 1000-Hz 20-msec tone bursts were obtained from normal-hearing adults under two different intersignal interval schedules: (1) a fixed-interval schedule with 2-sec intersignal intervals, and (2) a variable-interval schedule of intersignal intervals ranging randomly from 1.0 sec to 4.5 sec with a mean of 2 sec. Peak-to-peak amplitudes (N 1 — P 2 ) as well as latencies of components P 1 , N 1 , P 2 , and N 2 were compared under the two different conditions of intersignal interval. No consistent or significant differences between variable- and fixed-interval schedules were found in the averaged responses to signals of either 20 dB SL or 50 dB SL. Neither were there significant schedule differences when 35 or 70 epochs were averaged per response. There were, however, significant effects due to signal amplitude and to the number of epochs averaged per response. Response amplitude increased and response latency decreased with sensation level of the tone burst.

Temporal-Gap Detection by Cochlear Prosthesis Users

1989 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 849-856 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. Preece ◽  
Richard S. Tyler
Keyword(s):  
Magnitude Estimation ◽  
Stimulus Level ◽  
Electrode Placement ◽  
Frequency Effect ◽  
Gap Detection ◽  
Cochlear Prosthesis ◽  
Sensation Level

Minimum-detectable gaps for sinusoidal stimuli were measured for three users of a multi electrode cochlear prosthesis as functions of stimulus level, frequency, and electrode place within the cochlea. Stimulus level was scaled by sensation level and by growth-of-loudness functions generated for each condition by direct magnitude estimation. Minimum-detectable gaps decreased with increase in either sensation level or loudness, up to a plateau. When compared at equal sensation levels, the minimum-detectable gaps decreased with frequency increases. The frequency effect on minimum-detectable gaps is reduced if the data are considered at equal loudness. Comparison across place of stimulation within the cochlea showed minimum-detectable gaps to be shorter for more basal electrode placement at low stimulus levels. No differences in minimum-detectable gap as a function of place were found at higher stimulus levels.

Lateralization of Narrow-Band Noise by Blind and Sighted Listeners

Perception ◽  
10.1068/p3338 ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 855-873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen J Simon ◽  
Pierre L Divenyi ◽  
Al Lotze
Keyword(s):  
Narrow Band ◽  
Lateral Displacement ◽  
Spatial Hearing ◽  
Binaural Hearing ◽  
Center Frequency ◽  
Intensity Difference ◽  
Sensation Level ◽  
Individual Subject ◽  
Narrow Band Noise ◽  
Band Noise

The effects of varying interaural time delay (ITD) and interaural intensity difference (IID) were measured in normal-hearing sighted and congenitally blind subjects as a function of eleven frequencies and at sound pressure levels of 70 and 90 dB, and at a sensation level of 25 dB (sensation level refers to the pressure level of the sound above its threshold for the individual subject). Using an ‘acoustic’ pointing paradigm, the subject varied the IID of a 500 Hz narrow-band (100 Hz) noise (the ‘pointer’) to coincide with the apparent lateral position of a ‘target’ ITD stimulus. ITDs of 0, ±200, and ±400 μs were obtained through total waveform delays of narrow-band noise, including envelope and fine structure. For both groups, the results of this experiment confirm the traditional view of binaural hearing for like stimuli: non-zero ITDs produce little perceived lateral displacement away from 0 IID at frequencies above 1250 Hz. To the extent that greater magnitude of lateralization for a given ITD, presentation level, and center frequency can be equated with superior localization abilities, blind listeners appear at least comparable and even somewhat better than sighted subjects, especially when attending to signals in the periphery. The present findings suggest that blind listeners are fully able to utilize the cues for spatial hearing, and that vision is not a mandatory prerequisite for the calibration of human spatial hearing.

Fitting Frequency-Lowering Signal Processing Applying the American Academy of Audiology Pediatric Amplification Guideline: Updates and Protocols

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (03) ◽  
pp. 219-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Scollie ◽  
Danielle Glista ◽  
Julie Seto ◽  
Andrea Dunn ◽  
Brittany Schuett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signal Processing ◽  
Frequency Response ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Sensation Level ◽  
Response Level ◽  
Strong Basis ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Signal Processors

Background: Although guidelines for fitting hearing aids for children are well developed and have strong basis in evidence, specific protocols for fitting and verifying technologies can supplement such guidelines. One such technology is frequency-lowering signal processing. Children require access to a broad bandwidth of speech to detect and use all phonemes including female /s/. When access through conventional amplification is not possible, the use of frequency-lowering signal processing may be considered as a means to overcome limitations. Fitting and verification protocols are needed to better define candidacy determination and options for assessing and fine tuning frequency-lowering signal processing for individuals. Purpose: This work aims to (1) describe a set of calibrated phonemes that can be used to characterize the variation in different brands of frequency-lowering processors in hearing aids and the verification with these signals and (2) determine whether verification with these signal are predictive of perceptual changes associated with changes in the strength of frequency-lowering signal processing. Finally, we aimed to develop a fitting protocol for use in pediatric clinical practice. Study Sample: Study 1 used a sample of six hearing aids spanning four types of frequency lowering algorithms for an electroacoustic evaluation. Study 2 included 21 adults who had hearing loss (mean age 66 yr). Data Collection and Analysis: Simulated fricatives were designed to mimic the level and frequency shape of female fricatives extracted from two sources of speech. These signals were used to verify the frequency-lowering effects of four distinct types of frequency-lowering signal processors available in commercial hearing aids, and verification measures were compared to extracted fricatives made in a reference system. In a second study, the simulated fricatives were used within a probe microphone measurement system to verify a wide range of frequency compression settings in a commercial hearing aid, and 27 adult listeners were tested at each setting. The relation between the hearing aid verification measures and the listener’s ability to detect and discriminate between fricatives was examined. Results: Verification measures made with the simulated fricatives agreed to within 4 dB, on average, and tended to mimic the frequency response shape of fricatives presented in a running speech context. Some processors showed a greater aided response level for fricatives in running speech than fricatives presented in isolation. Results with listeners indicated that verified settings that provided a positive sensation level of /s/ and that maximized the frequency difference between /s/ and /∫/ tended to have the best performance. Conclusions: Frequency-lowering signal processors have measureable effects on the high-frequency fricative content of speech, particularly female /s/. It is possible to measure these effects either with a simple strategy that presents an isolated simulated fricative and measures the aided frequency response or with a more complex system that extracts fricatives from running speech. For some processors, a more accurate result may be achieved with a running speech system. In listeners, the aided frequency location and sensation level of fricatives may be helpful in predicting whether a specific hearing aid fitting, with or without frequency-lowering, will support access to the fricatives of speech.

Low Sensation Level Delayed Clicks and Keytapping

1961 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Allen Chase ◽  
Samuel Sutton ◽  
Edmund P. Fowler ◽  
Thomas H. Fay ◽  
Howard B. Ruhm
Keyword(s):  
Sensation Level

scholarly journals The comparison of gains prescribed for digital behind-the-ear hearing aids using the manufacturer-specific and conventional prescriptive formulas

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahin Shyekhaghaei ◽  
Seyyed Jalal Sameni ◽  
Nariman Rahbar
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Input Output ◽  
Frequency Range ◽  
Sensation Level ◽  
Input Intensity ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Frequency Intensity

Background and Aim: There are several prescriptive formulas for covering a variety of hearing loss, each of which applies relatively different amplifications at different frequencies. This study aims to compare the gains prescribed for digital behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids by the Desired Sensation Level Multi-Stage [Input/Output] (DSLm[I/O]), National Acoustic Laboratories-non linear2 (NAL-NL2) and manufacturer-specific formulas at different levels of input intensity. Methods: The gain values in 12-channel BTE hearing aids prepared from four companies (Oticon, Phonak, ReSound and Siemens) were measured at three levels of input intensity (45, 65, and 85 dB SPL) and at a frequency range of 250−8000 Hz for two moderately severe flat and mild sloping to severe hearing losses by using the DSLm[I/O], NAL-NL2 and manufacturerspecific formulas in the Frye FP35 test box. Results: There was no significant difference between the four selected hearing aids in terms of prescribed gain values using the prescriptive formulas (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The DSLm[I/O] formula prescribes higher gain in the 12-channel BTE hearing aids from Oticon, Phonak and Siemens companies at all input intensities and frequencies for moderately severe flat and mild sloping to severe hearing losses compared to the NAL-NL2 formula and manufacturer-specific formulas (Voice Aligned Compression (VAC), Adaptive Phonak, Connexx Fit and audiogram+). Keywords: National acoustic laboratories-non linear2; desired sensation level multi-stage [input/output]; gain; frequency; intensity levels

Reliability of Threshold, Slope, and PB Max for Monosyllabic Words

1985 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randall C. Beattie ◽  
Michael J.M. Raffin
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Sensation Level ◽  
Step Size ◽  
Binomial Theorem ◽  
Large Variability ◽  
Impaired Group ◽  
Word Lists ◽  
Monosyllabic Words ◽  
Single List

The Auditec recordings of the CID W-22 monosyllables were used to generate test and retest intelligibility functions on normally hearing listeners and subjects with mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss. The normally hearing subjects were tested with 50-word lists at SPLs ranging from 15 to 50 dB. Lists of 25 words were used with the hearing-impaired group. The functions were analyzed to assess the reliability of threshold (50% point), slope (20%–80% points), and maximum intelligibility (PB max). The 50% point was obtained at 28 dB SPL for the normally hearing listeners and at a sensation level (SL) of 12 dB re spondaic thresholds for the hearing-impaired group. Very stable monosyllabic thresholds were found because 95% of the test-retest values were within 6 dB for both subject groups. Slopes of 4.9% per dB and 2.7% per dB were obtained for the normally hearing and hearing-impaired groups, respectively. Fair reliability was observed; 95% of the test-retest values encompassed a range of ± 1.9% per dB for the normally hearing subjects and ± 1.1% per dB for the hearing-impaired group. Although group slopes provide useful information for selecting the range and step size for generating psychometric functions, the value of routinely obtaining slope on an individual basis has not been demonstrated. Even though the same word lists were used for both test and retest measurements, reliability closely agreed with predicted results based on the binomial theorem. In contrast to the large variability for a single list of 25 words, very stable PB max scores were found when two or three scores were averaged on the plateau of the function.

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