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Working memory and intelligibility of hearing-aid processed speech
Pamela E Souza1, Kathryn H Arehart2, Jing Shen3
1Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University Evanston, IL, USA ; Knowles Hearing Center, Northwestern University Evanston, IL, USA.
Frontiers in Psychology
|May 23, 2015
Summary
Individuals with low working memory capacity struggle with hearing aid processing in noisy environments. Maintaining signal fidelity is crucial for speech intelligibility and quality in older adults with hearing loss.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Cognitive Science
- Speech Processing
Background:
- Individuals with low working memory capacity (WMC) face challenges in adverse listening conditions.
- Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) can exacerbate difficulties in understanding speech, especially with hearing aid processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of patient factors, particularly WMC, on speech intelligibility and quality in older adults with SNHL.
- To examine how hearing aid signal modifications (WDRC, FC) interact with WMC and hearing loss severity.
Main Methods:
- Speech intelligibility and quality of modified sentences (multitalker babble) were assessed in older adults with SNHL.
- Hearing aid processing included wide-dynamic range compression (WDRC) and frequency compression (FC), with signal modification quantified by an envelope fidelity index.
- Working memory components, including processing speed and executive function, were measured.
Main Results:
- Working memory capacity significantly affected speech intelligibility.
- An interaction was found between working memory, hearing loss severity, and the degree of signal modification.
- Signal modification was the primary predictor of perceived speech quality.
Conclusions:
- Working memory's influence on speech intelligibility in hearing aid users may be linked to overall signal fidelity rather than specific processing techniques.
- For individuals with low WMC and SNHL, hearing aid settings (WDRC, FC) should prioritize maintaining signal envelope fidelity.
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