Impact of room acoustic parameters on speech and music perception on patients with cochlear implants

Introduction:

A numerous of factors are influencing the listening experience of cochlear implant users. Speech intelligibility, acoustic quality or audibility is considerably influenced by room acoustics. For CI users, complex listening environments are usually associated with heavily losses. The aim of the present study is to determine room acoustic criteria that particularly influence audibility and speech intelligibility for CI patients.

Methods:

Therefore, speech material of the Oldenburg Sentence Test (OLSA) as well as basic music material were auralized using the software Auratorium. For the test set up on one hand constructed rooms for speech stimuli (based on the standard DIN 18041:2016 – 03 about acoustic quality in small and medium size rooms, including specifications for inclusive applications in schools) were used and on the other hand typical concert halls of different sizes were modelled. The auralized test stimuli were unilaterally presented to 10 CI users via their auxiliary input of the speech processor. Acoustic quality was evaluated by using modified MUSHRA-tests, and a discrimination test consisting of paired comparison and multiple choice tasks.

Results:

A strong preference of small source to listener distances by CI users was found, but no significant preference of room acoustic attenuation exceeding the recommendation for inclusive applications in schools. Music materials were distinguished more consistently without any room acoustic impact.

Conclusions:

These obtained findings shall help to judge and improve the influence of room acoustic parameters on the quality of hearing for CI users.

Publication History

Publication Date:
18 April 2018 (online)