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Effects of the acoustical dynamic range on speech recognition with cochlear implants
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Cantonal University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
Audiology : Official Organ of the International Society of Audiology
|November 2, 2001
Summary
A cochlear implant speech processor
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Speech Processing
Background:
- Cochlear implants process sound by mapping wide acoustic dynamic ranges to limited electrical dynamic ranges.
- Amplitude compression is a key function in cochlear implant speech processors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how variations in the acoustic dynamic range of the compression function affect speech recognition in cochlear implant users.
- To determine the optimal acoustic dynamic range for speech recognition with cochlear implants.
Main Methods:
- Statistical analysis of speech sound amplitude distribution in each channel of a research speech processor.
- Systematic variations of the compression function's dynamic range were implemented.
- Speech recognition was evaluated using vowel and consonant identification tests in three experienced cochlear implant users.
Main Results:
- The acoustic dynamic range of the compression function significantly impacts speech recognition performance in cochlear implant users.
- Speech recognition outcomes varied with different dynamic range settings.
Conclusions:
- A dynamic range of approximately 45 dB is suggested as necessary for achieving optimal speech recognition with cochlear implants.
- Optimizing the acoustic dynamic range of the compression function is crucial for enhancing speech perception in cochlear implant users.