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The interference of different background noises on speech processing in elderly hearing impaired subjects
Birgitta Larsby1, Mathias Hällgren, Björn Lyxell
1Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Technical Audiology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. birgitta.larsby@inr.liu.se
International Journal of Audiology
|November 26, 2008
Summary
Background noise significantly impacts speech processing in individuals with hearing loss. Performance varies with noise type, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and task, with older adults showing greater difficulty with modulated noises.
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Speech Processing
- Psychoacoustics
Background:
- Background noise poses significant challenges for speech comprehension, particularly for individuals with sensorineural hearing impairment.
- Understanding the effects of different noise characteristics on speech processing is crucial for developing effective auditory aids and rehabilitation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interference of various background noises on speech processing in older adults with hearing loss.
- To assess how temporal structure, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and meaningfulness of background noise affect speech recognition and comprehension tasks.
Main Methods:
- Speech recognition using the Hagerman test and speech comprehension tasks (SVIPS) were administered.
- Participants (aged 56-83 years) with bilateral sensorineural hearing impairment were exposed to speech-weighted background noises with varying characteristics.
- Performance was evaluated using different test criteria and perceived effort scores.
Main Results:
- Speech processing performance differed based on the speech processing task, SNR, and whether outcome measures were quantitative or qualitative.
- Age-related effects were observed, particularly in the Hagerman test and under modulated noise conditions (e.g., speech, reversed speech).
- Noise interference at peripheral, central auditory, and cognitive levels was found to depend on SNR, noise type, and the listening task.
Conclusions:
- Background noise interference in speech processing is complex, influenced by multiple factors including SNR, noise characteristics, and individual listener capabilities.
- Age is a significant factor, with older adults experiencing greater difficulties in adverse listening conditions, especially with modulated noises.
- Findings support a hypothesis where masking and distraction effects are modulated by SNR, noise type, and task demands across different processing levels.
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