Application of Ideal Binary Masking to Disordered Speech

Application of Ideal Binary Masking to Disordered Speech

Dysarthria and hearing loss are communication disorders that can substantially reduce intelligibility of speech and the addition of background noise adds a further challenge. This proposal utilizes an established signal processing technique, currently exploited for improved understanding of speech in noise for listeners with hearing loss, to investigate its potential application to overcome speech-in-noise difficulties for listeners understanding dysarthric speech. Successful completion of this project will demonstrate proof-of-concept for the application of this signal processing technique to dysarthric speech in noise, and inform the development of an R01 proposal to perform a large-scale evaluation of the technology, and clinically meaningful implications, in a broad range of disordered speech types and severities.

Inclusion Criteria:INCLUSION CRITERIA for All Participants

• Native speakers of American English
• No history of speech or language impairment
• No significant prior contact with persons having neurogenic speech disorders

INCLUSION CRITERIA for Participants with Normal Hearing

• 18 to 70 years of age
• Auditory thresholds of 20 dB HL or better bilaterally at octave frequencies from 250-8000 Hz (if under 55 years of age)
• Auditory thresholds of 25 dB HL or better bilaterally at octave frequencies from 250-4000 Hz (if over 55 years of age)

INCLUSION CRITERIA for Participants with Sensorineural Hearing Loss

• 18 to 90 years of age

Exclusion Criteria:

• EXCLUSION CRITERIA for All Participants
• Mild or profound hearing loss
• Conductive or mixed hearing loss
• Asymmetric hearing loss
• Obvious concomitant cognitive or mental impairment
• Unable to achieve upward of 20% words correct