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Understanding speech when wearing communication headsets and hearing protectors with subband processing
Anthony J Brammer1, Gongqiang Yu1, Eric R Bernstein1
1Ergonomic Technology Center, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington Avenue, Farmington, Connecticut 06030-2017.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|August 7, 2014
Summary
This study introduces an adaptive system to enhance speech clarity in hearing protectors by improving the speech signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and using active noise control (ANC). The technology boosts word scores in noisy environments, ensuring better communication quality.
Area of Science:
- Acoustics and Audio Engineering
- Signal Processing
- Human Factors Engineering
Background:
- Hearing protection devices (HPDs) offer passive noise attenuation but can struggle with speech intelligibility in noisy environments.
- Active noise control (ANC) and adaptive signal processing are key to improving auditory communication in challenging acoustic conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate an adaptive, delayless, subband feed-forward control structure for improving speech signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and providing active noise control (ANC) in circumaural headsets/hearing protectors.
- To optimize speech SNR across communication channel subbands while limiting sound levels, maintaining user-preferred SNR, and enhancing speech quality by reducing inter-band gain differences.
Main Methods:
- Employed an adaptive, delayless, subband feed-forward control structure for integrated speech SNR improvement and ANC.
- Evaluated a proof-of-concept device in pseudo-diffuse sound fields with human subjects and through simulation.
- Utilized a subject-specific linear model for predictive simulation of performance under various noise conditions.
Main Results:
- Subband speech SNR control combined with subband ANC significantly improved word scores compared to subband ANC alone for tested environmental noises.
- The integrated approach enhanced the consistency of word scores across different subjects.
- Simulations predicted maintained word scores above 90% even at high external sound levels (up to ~115 dBA).
Conclusions:
- The adaptive subband control structure effectively improves speech SNR and provides complementary ANC in HPDs.
- This integrated system offers a significant advantage in speech intelligibility and communication quality in noisy environments.
- The technology demonstrates potential for maintaining high communication performance even under extreme noise exposure levels.
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