Near end listening enhancement in realistic environments

Carol Chermaz*, Cassia Valentini-Botinhao, Henning Schepker, Simon King

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract / Description of output

Speech playback is harder to understand in noise. Near End Listening Enhancement algorithms try to overcome the problem by enhancing the speech signal before it is played by a device. Different strategies have been tried, achieving variable degrees of success in specific noise conditions. Such technologies, however, are often tested in artificial settings - with controlled noise sources and no reverberation. The purpose of this study is to compare a set of state-of-the-art algorithms based on different approaches (adaptive vs non-adaptive, with or without a compensation for reverberation) in simulated real- life scenarios. Binaural noise recordings and impulse responses of real environments have been used to create two representative scenarios in which speech playback may occur, namely a domestic and a public space. A preliminary study with N=24 subjects revealed the need for higher SNRs in the realistic settings (in comparison to controlled noise conditions) in order to obtain the same levels of intelligibility for plain speech. The goal of the main study is to assess the impact of noise adaptivity and reverberation awareness in realistic scenarios, in order to better understand how to make speech playback more robust to noise in real-life situations.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 23rd International Congress on Acoustics
Subtitle of host publicationIntegrating 4th EAA Euroregio 2019
EditorsMartin Ochmann, Vorlander Michael, Janina Fels
PublisherInternational Commission for Acoustics (ICA)
Pages5731-5735
Number of pages5
ISBN (Electronic)9783939296157
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 Sept 2019
Event23rd International Congress on Acoustics: Integrating 4th EAA Euroregio - Aachen, Germany
Duration: 9 Sept 201923 Sept 2019

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International Congress on Acoustics
Volume2019-September
ISSN (Print)2226-7808
ISSN (Electronic)2415-1599

Conference

Conference23rd International Congress on Acoustics: Integrating 4th EAA Euroregio
Abbreviated titleICA 2019
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityAachen
Period9/09/1923/09/19

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Near-end listening enhancement
  • Realistic Scenarios
  • Speech intelligibility

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