A signal processing scheme for output limitation
R A Bentler1, C V Pavlovic, P J Abbas
1Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City.
Acta Oto-Laryngologica. Supplementum
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Hearing discomfort increases with more complex sounds for both normal and hearing-impaired individuals. This finding can inform digital hearing aid (MPO) settings for better sound perception.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Psychoacoustics
- Hearing Science
Background:
- Discomfort summation (S) occurs in listeners exposed to complex auditory stimuli.
- This phenomenon is observed in both normal-hearing individuals and those with mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss, often due to presbycusis.
- The relationship between discomfort and stimulus complexity has not been fully explained by stimulus power or amplitude peak density.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the relationship between the number of components in complex auditory stimuli and the resulting summation of discomfort (S).
- To compare this relationship between normal-hearing listeners and those with sensorineural hearing impairment.
- To explore the implications of these findings for the design of digital hearing aids.
Main Methods:
- Participants included normal-hearing listeners and individuals with mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss (presbycusis).
- Listeners were exposed to complex auditory stimuli with varying numbers of components (n).
- Regression analyses were performed to model the summation of discomfort (S) as a function of the number of components (log n).
Main Results:
- A significant positive correlation was found between the number of components (n) and the summation of discomfort (S) for both listener groups.
- Regression equations revealed significant differences between normal listeners (S = 2.05 + 11.51 log n) and hearing-impaired listeners (S = 3.95 + 12.88 log n).
- The observed increase in perceived discomfort with stimulus complexity could not be adequately explained by stimulus power or amplitude peak density.
Conclusions:
- The summation of discomfort is proportional to the logarithm of the number of components in complex stimuli for both normal and hearing-impaired listeners.
- Distinct regression models highlight differences in discomfort summation between normal and impaired hearing.
- These findings suggest that digital hearing aid maximum output levels (MPO) should incorporate adjustments for summation of discomfort to optimize audibility and listening comfort.
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