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Validating a Rapid, Automated Test of Spatial Release From Masking.
Kasey M Jakien1,2, Sean D Kampel1,2, Meghan M Stansell1
1National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, VA Portland Health Care System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, OR.
American Journal of Audiology
|October 4, 2017
Summary
The headphone-based spatial release from masking task (SR2) demonstrates reliable test-retest performance. This method effectively assesses spatial hearing abilities for clinical screening and rehabilitation tracking.
Area of Science:
- Auditory Perception
- Psychoacoustics
- Speech Processing
Background:
- Spatial release from masking (SRM) is crucial for understanding speech intelligibility in complex auditory environments.
- Headphone-based virtual auditory environments offer a controlled method for investigating SRM.
- Previous research highlights the importance of spatial cues in overcoming masking effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the test-retest reliability of a headphone-based spatial release from masking task with two maskers (SR2).
- To compare the SR2 with a loudspeaker-based equivalent in an anechoic chamber (SR2A).
- To explore the clinical utility of the SR2 for assessing specific populations and guiding rehabilitation.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-four participants completed speech intelligibility tests using the Coordinate Response Measure corpus via headphones (SR2) or loudspeakers (SR2A).
- SR2 involved target at 0° azimuth with maskers at 0° or ±45°.
- SR2A involved target at 0° with maskers at various separations (±15° to ±135°).
- SRM was calculated as the difference between colocated and spatially separated thresholds.
- SR2 was administered at least twice; a subset also underwent SR2A.
- A separate experiment assessed SR2 performance across 8 repetitions.
Main Results:
- SR2 showed consistent performance after the first repetition across 8 subsequent sessions.
- SR2A performance was stable regardless of repetition.
- SR2 (simulating 45° separation) yielded thresholds comparable to SR2A with 30° separation.
- Pure-tone average strongly predicted SRM for both headphone and anechoic conditions.
- Age was significant only for colocated conditions.
Conclusions:
- The SR2 is a reliable and effective tool for assessing spatial release from masking.
- The SR2 is suitable for screening auditory deficits and monitoring rehabilitation progress.
- Future research should focus on automated testing for amplification benefits, smaller spatial separations, and spectral differences.
