From E-C theory to speech intelligibility in rooms

Authors

  • John Culling School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Tower Building, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
  • Mathieu Lavandier Université de Lyon, Ecole Nationale des Travaux Publics de l’Etat, Département Génie Civil et Bâtiment, Unité CNRS 1652, Rue M. Audin, 69518 Vaulx-en-Velin Cedex, France
  • Sam Jelfs Welsh School of Architecture, Bute Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3NB, United Kingdom

Abstract

Equalization-cancellation theory accounts for the binaural unmasking of tones by assuming that the waveforms within corresponding frequency channels at the left and right ears are optimally equalized by an internal delay and then cancelled. A wide variety of experimental data have been successfully modelled using predictive equations derived from the model for each experimental design. Recently, a single equation has been developed that can make equivalent predictions for any experiment based on interaural statistics measured from the experimental stimuli, regardless of the stimulus construction. We have used this equation to predict unmasking of speech against maskers of very complex construction, one or more interfering noise sources in a reverberant room. The model assumes that effects of better-ear listening and binaural unmasking are additive within each frequency channel and weights their combined effects by the SII frequency weighting function to yield intelligibility predictions. These predictions correlate highly with speech reception thresholds measured in the same con gurations. Deriving the masker statistics directly from room impulse responses, computation is suf ciently economical for the generation of intelligibility maps for a given room, spatial con guration of sources and listener orientation.

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Additional Files

Published

2009-12-15

How to Cite

Culling, J., Lavandier, M., & Jelfs, S. (2009). From E-C theory to speech intelligibility in rooms. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research, 2, 83–92. Retrieved from https://proceedings.isaar.eu/index.php/isaarproc/article/view/2009-09

Issue

Vol. 2 (2009): Binaural Processing and Spatial Hearing

Section

2009/2. Perceptual measures and models of spatial hearing

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