Predicting speech intelligibility in adverse conditions: evaluation of the speech-based envelope power spectrum model

Authors

  • Søren Jørgensen Centre for Applied Hearing Research, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark
  • Torsten Dau Centre for Applied Hearing Research, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark

Abstract

The speech-based envelope power spectrum model (sEPSM) [Jørgensen and Dau (2011). J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 130 (3), 1475–1487] estimates the envelope signal-to-noise ratio (SNRenv) of distorted speech and accurately describes the speech recognition thresholds (SRT) for normal-hearing listeners in conditions with additive noise, reverberation, and nonlinear processing by spectral subtraction. The latter represents a condition where the standardized speech intelligibility index and speech transmission index fail. However, the sEPSM is limited to stationary interferers due to the fact that predictions are based on the long-term SNRenv. As an attempt to extent the model to deal with fluctuating interferers, a short-time version of the sEPSM is presented. The SNRenv of a speech sample is estimated from a combination of SNRenv-values calculated in short time frames. The model is evaluated in adverse conditions by comparing predictions to measured data from [Kjems et al. (2009). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 126 (3), 1415-1426] where speech is mixed with four different interferers, including speech-shaped noise, bottle noise, car noise, and cafe noise. The model accounts well for the differences in intelligibility observed for the different interferers. None of the standardized models successfully describe these data.

References

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Additional Files

Published

2011-12-15

How to Cite

Jørgensen, S., & Dau, T. (2011). Predicting speech intelligibility in adverse conditions: evaluation of the speech-based envelope power spectrum model. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research, 3, 307–314. Retrieved from https://proceedings.isaar.eu/index.php/isaarproc/article/view/2011-35

Issue

Vol. 3 (2011): Speech Perception and Auditory Disorders

Section

2011/3. Models of speech processing and perception

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