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Speech Perception and Sound-Quality Rating with an Adaptive Nonlinear Frequency Compression Algorithm in
Li Xu1, Solveig C Voss2, Jing Yang3
1Communication Sciences and Disorders, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio.
Journal of the American Academy of Audiology
|April 28, 2020
Summary
Adaptive nonlinear frequency compression (NLFC) in hearing aids significantly improved speech perception for Mandarin speakers with severe hearing loss. However, sound quality ratings did not show significant improvement across different adaptive NLFC settings.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Hearing Aid Technology
Background:
- Mandarin Chinese speech has high-frequency sounds, posing challenges for individuals with high-frequency sloping hearing loss.
- Adaptive nonlinear frequency compression (NLFC) is a hearing aid feature designed to address this issue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of adaptive NLFC (SoundRecover2 or SR2) in hearing aids for Mandarin-speaking adults with severe-to-profound hearing loss.
- To assess the impact of different SR2 parameter settings on speech perception and sound quality.
Main Methods:
- 15 Mandarin-speaking adults with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss participated.
- Participants used Phonak Naida V90-SP hearing aids fitted bilaterally.
- Speech perception (phoneme detection, speech reception thresholds) and sound quality ratings were measured with SR2 off and at various settings (weak, default, strong 1, strong 2).
Main Results:
- Speech reception thresholds and phoneme detection thresholds were significantly better with SR2-strong 1 and SR2-strong 2 settings compared to SR2-off or SR2-weak.
- No significant differences in sound quality ratings were found across the tested SR2 settings.
Conclusions:
- The adaptive NLFC algorithm (SR2) offers perceptual benefits for Mandarin-speaking individuals with severe-to-profound hearing loss.
- Further research may be needed to optimize sound quality aspects of adaptive NLFC.
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