Multichannel Compression: Effects of Reduced Spectral Contrast on Vowel Identification

Authors:
  • CMChristi W. Miller
    Christi W. Miller
  • JBJoshua G. W. Bernstein
    Joshua G. W. Bernstein
  • XZXuyang Zhang
    Xuyang Zhang
  • YWYu-Hsiang Wu
    Yu-Hsiang Wu
  • RBRuth A. Bentler
    Ruth A. Bentler
  • KTKelly Tremblay
    Kelly Tremblay
  • SMShahram Moradi
    Shahram Moradi
  • BLBjörn Lidestam
    Björn Lidestam
  • HDHenrik Danielsson
    Henrik Danielsson
  • ENElaine Hoi Ning Ng
    Elaine Hoi Ning Ng
  • JRJerker Rönnberg
    Jerker Rönnberg
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Abstract
Purpose To clarify if large numbers of wide dynamic range compression channels provide advantages for vowel identification and to measure its acoustic effects. Methods Eight vowels produced by 12 talkers in the /hVd/ context were compressed using 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 channels. Formant contrast indices (mean formant peak minus mean formant trough; maximum formant peak minus minimum formant trough) were developed to quantify spectral changes. Twenty listeners with mild to moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss identified the compressed vowels in an 8-alternative forced-choice procedure. Results Formant contrast measures revealed significant spectral flattening for 6 of the 8 vowels as channel number increased. A significant decrease in vowel identification performance was also observed as spectral contrast decreased. Conclusions Increasing the number of wide dynamic range compression channels may not be beneficial for all speech signals, and individual vowel identification performance can vary greatly for listeners with similar hearing loss.

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