This paper deals with the problem of predicting the average intelligibility of noisy and potentially processed speech signals, as observed by a group of normal hearing listeners. We propose a prediction model based on the hypothesis that intelligibility is monotonically related to the the amount of Shannon information the critical-band amplitude envelopes of the noisy/processed signal convey ab...

This paper addresses the study of the speech intelligibility enhancement. The speech model, noise sources, perceptual aspects of speech, and performance evaluation are reviewed. The intelligibility enhancement system based on spectral subtraction technique is investigated. Spectral density estimation device based on the algorithm of smoothed periodograms is analysed. Determination of the silenc...

We present a general framework for addressing the problem of semantic intelligibility among artificial agents based on concepts integral to the case-based reasoning research program. For this purpose, we define case-based semiotics (CBS) (based on the well known notion of the semiotic triangle) as the model that defines semantic intelligibility. We show how traditional CBR notions like transfor...

This study used a multi-talker database containing intelligibility scores for 2000 sentences (20 talkers, 100 sentences), to identify talker-related correlates of speech intelligibility. We first investigated "global" talker characteristics (e.g., gender, F0 and speaking rate). Findings showed female talkers to be more intelligible as a group than male talkers. Additionally, we found a tendency...

OBJECTIVE The development of a test of virtual speech intelligibility in noise that enables assessment in typical, everyday listening situations. To eliminate extraneous confounding factors, digital signal processing was incorporated to simulate listening environments and source locations and allow presentation of stimuli via earphones. DESIGN Source-to-eardrum transfer functions measured on ...

Background: the reduction in speech intelligibility is considered one of the main characteristics of individuals with speech disorders, and is an important issue for clinical and research investigation. In spite of its relevance, the literature does not present a consensus on how to measure speech intelligibility. Besides the diversity of existent methods, another important issue refers to the ...

Many studies have shown the advantage of using ideal binary mask (IdBM) to improve the intelligibility of speech masked by interfering voices. The present work further investigated the segmental contribution to the intelligibility of the IdBMprocessed sentences. Three types (i.e., vowel-only, consonantonly, and vowel-consonant transition) of Mandarin IdBMprocessed stimuli were generated by usin...

This study evaluates the perceptual effects of single-microphone noise reduction in hearing aids. Twenty subjects with moderate sensorineural hearing loss listened to speech in babble noise processed via noise reduction from three different linearly fitted hearing aids. Subjects performed (a) speech-intelligibility tests, (b) listening-effort ratings, and (c) paired-comparison ratings on noise ...

In many cases the intelligibility of speech in noise may be assumed independent of the absolute sound level; the speech-to-noise ratio (SNR) primarily determines intelligibility. However, at high sound levels, speech intelligibility is found to decrease. Subjective Speech Reception Threshold (SRT) measurements were performed at various speech and noise levels, and with various noise spectra. De...